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WAR  DEPARTMENT 
OFFICE  OF  THE  CHIEF  SIGNAL  OFFICER 


MANUAL  No.  7 


GENERAL,  PROPERTY 

AND  DISBURSING 

REGULATIONS 


SIGNAL   CORPS 

UNITED    STATES    ARMY 


FIFTH  EDITION 


REVISED  TO  INCLUDE  JUNE  1,  1915 


WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICE 
1915 


WAR  DEPARTMENT, 

Document  No.  490. 
Office  of  the  Chief  Signal  Officer. 


WAR  DEPARTMENT, 
OFFICE  OF  THE  CHIEF  OF  STAFF, 

Wasliinyton,  June  19,  Wl~>. 

The  following  Manual  of  General,  Property,  and  Disbursing 
Regulations  of  the  Signal  Corps,  United  States  Army,  prepared 
in  the  office  of  the  Chief  Signal  Officer,  is  approved  and  pub- 
lished for  the  information  and  guidance  of  the  Regular  Army 
and  the  Organized  Militia  of  the  United  States. 

Only  such  regulations  are  herein  given  as  are  general  in 
their  nature  or  affect  other  branches  of  the  service. 

By  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War. 

H.  L.  SCOTT, 
Major  General,  Chief  of  Staff. 

3 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


Page. 

ARTICLE  I.— DUTIES  AND  PERSONNEI 7 

Duties  of  the  Signal  Corps 7 

Personnel 8 

Enlisted  men 10 

Furloughs 15 

Detachments,  companies,  etc 16 

Promotion  of  noncommissioned  officers 17 

Department  signal  officers 27 

Civilian  employees 31 

Traveling  expenses — expense  accounts 

Electrical  engineers  and  assistants 41 

ARTICLE  II.— ORGANIZATION  FOR  FIELD  SERVICE 45 

Signal  Corps  equipment  for  a  field  compan y 45 

Signal  Corps  equipment  for  a  telegraph  company 50 

ARTICLE  III. — DISBURSING  REGULATIONS 53 

Blank  forms 53 

Appropriations 55 

Savings  under  authorities  or  orders 56 

Unexpended  balances 57 

Annual  estimates 57 

Authorities 58 

Funds 59 

Purchases  and  payments 63 

Contracts i 63 

Bonds 67 

Proposals 69 

Open-market  purchases 69 

Inspection 72 

Deliveries 74 

Marking  supplies  by  contractors 75 

Boxing  or  packing  by  contractors 75 

Freight  charges,  etc 75 

Vouchers 75 

Cash  payments •. 81 

Pay  rolls 81 

Checks 82 

5 


6     GENERAL  PROPERTY    AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

ARTICLE  III.— Di3BC3si;iG  TYEGULATION?- -Continued.  Page. 

Cashbooks 85 

Accounts,  current 85 

Abstract  to  accompany  account  current 87 

Cash  account 88 

Administrative  officers 90 

Proceeds  of  sales,  condemned  property 90 

Sales  to  officers 91 

Settlements  for  property  transferred  between  bureaus 92 

Decisions  by  Treasury  Department 93 

Purchase  of  envelopes 93 

ARTICLE  IV. — PROPERTY  ACCOUNTABILITY  AND  RESPONSIBILITY 94 

General  provisions 94 

Accountability  at  Signal  Corps  general  supply  depots 96 

Property  returns,  general 99 

Philippine  returns 109 

American  Bell  rented  telephones 110 

Typewriters Ill 

Expendable  property 112 

ARTICLE  V.— REQUISITIONS  AND  SUPPLY  DEPOTS 115 

Requisitions 115 

Blank  forms 117 

General  depots  of  supply 122 

Temporary  storehouses 12S 

Packing  and  shiprnent-of  property 130 

Decisions  concerning  issues 135 

Manuals 138 

Special  vehicles 139 

Issues  to  the  Organized  Militia 140 

War  Department  telegraph  codes 142 

Equipment  issued  to  line  organizations 143 

Visual  signaling  equipment  at  coast  defenses 143 

Field  glasses. 145 

Photography 148 

ARTICLE  VI.— ELECTRICAL  INSTALLATIONS 149 

Telephone  systems  at  military  posts 149 

Switchboard  operators 151 

Commercial  telephone  .service  at  military  posts 151 

Radio  station  sets 152 

Cable  and  cable  reels . .  153 


GENERAL,  PROPERTY,  AND  DISBURSING  REG- 
ULATIONS, SIGNAL  CORPS,  UNITED  STATES 
ARMY. 


ARTICLE  I. 
DUTIES   AND   PERSONNEL. 

DUTIES   OF   THE    SIGNAL   CORPS. 

1.  (a)  The  Chief  Signal  Officer  shall  have  charge,  under  the 
direction,  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  of  all  military  signal  duties 
and  of  books,  papers,  and  devices  connected  therewith,  includ- 
ing telegraph  and  telephone  apparatus  and  the  necessary  me- 
teorological instruments  for  use  on  target  ran. UTS  and  for  other 
military  uses;  of  the  construction,  repair,  and  operation  of 
military  telegraph  lines  and  the  duty  of  collecting  and  trans- 
mitting information  for  the  Army,  hy  telegraph  or  otherwise, 
a  ml  of  all  other  duties  usually  pertaining  to  military  signaling  and 
the  operations  of  such  corps  as  shall  be  confined  to  strictly  mili- 
tary matters:  of  the  direction  of  the  Signal  Corps  of  the  Army 
and  the  control  of  the  officers,  enlisted  men.  and  the  employees 
attached  thereto;  of  the  supply,  installation,  repair,  and  opera- 
lit,  ii  of  military  cables,  telegraph  and  telephone  lines,  and  radio 
apparatus  and  stations,  except  as  provided  in  paragraph  150ru. 
Army  Regulations;  of  the  supply,  repair,  and  operation  of 
field  telegraph  trains  and  balloon  trains;  of  the  preparation, 
distribution,  and  revision  of  the  War  Department  telegraphic- 
code;  of  the  supervision  of  such  instruction  in  military  signal- 
ing, telephony,  and  telegraphy  as  may  be  prescribed  in  orders 
from  the  War  Department,  except  such  as  is  used  by  the  Coast 

7 


8     GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

Artillery  in  fire  control  and  fire  direction  and  service  of  sub- 
marine mines ;  of  the  procurement,  preservation,  and  distribu- 
tion of  the  necessary  supplies  for  the  Signal  Corps,  and  of  the 
procurement  and  issue  of  signal  equipment  required  in  coast 
defense.  (A.  R.  1556.) 

(6)  The  furnishing  of  time  service  to  posts  is  not  a  function 
of  the  Signal  Corps,  but  of  the  Quartermaster's  Department. 
(Dec.  C.  S.  O.,  Jan.  18,  1905.) 

PEKSONNEL. 

2.  (a)   The  Signal  Corps,  excluding  the  Aviation  Section,  has 
an  authorized  strength  of  1  brigadier  general,  1  colonel,  2  lieu- 
tenant colonels,  6  majors,  18  captains,  IS  first  lieutenants,  36 
master   signal    electricians,    132    first-class   sergeants,    144    ser- 
geants, 156  corporals,  552  first-class  privates,  168  privates,  and 
24  cooks;  total,  46  officers  and  1,212  enlisted  men. 

(6)  The  Aviation  Section  of  the  Signal  Corps  has,  in  addi- 
tion to  such  officers  and  men  from  the  Signal  Corps  at  large 
as  may  be  assigned,  an  authorized  strength  of  60  officers  and 
260  enlisted  men ;  the  enlisted  strength  consisting  of  12  master 
signal  electricians,  12  first-class  sergeants,  24  sergeants,  78  cor- 
porals, 8  cooks,  82  first-class  privates,  and  44  privates. 

3.  An  officer  of.  a  staff  corps  or  department,  or  an  officer  serv- 
ing therein  by  detail,  will  make  report  to  the  head  of  the  corps 
or  department  on  the  last  day  of  every  month,  giving  his  ad- 
dress,  a   statement  of  the  duties  on  which  he  has  been  em- 
ployed during  the  month,  the  date  of  his  assignment  thereto, 
and  the  authority  by  which   so   assigned.     He  will   report  to 
The  Adjutant  General  of  the  Army  at  the  time  of  change  any 
change  of  station  during  the  month,  giving  dates  of  departure 
and  joining;   also  the  dates  of  departure  from  and  arrival  at 
foreign    stations   and   of   departure   from    and   arrival   in   the 
continental  limits  of  the  United  States  when  going  to  or  return- 
ing from  a  foreign  station.     (A.  R.  826,  827.) 

4.  Officers  obtaining  leaves  of  absence  or  permission  to  delay 
en  route  in  changing  stations  from  authority  other  than  of  the 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.      9 

Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  are  directed  to  promptly  notify 
the  signal  office,  in  writing  as  far  as  practicable,  in  advance  of 
such  leave  or  delay  and  give  prospective  date  of  leaving  sta- 
tion and  of  return.  Officers  while  on  leave  of  absence  will  keep 
the  Chief  Signal  Officer  advised  of  any  change  of  address  in 
order  that  they  may  be  communicated  with  if  necessary. 

5.  Signal  officers  are  enjoined  to  exercise  great  care  in  making 
recommendations  for  foreign  service.     Men  of  indifferent  char- 
acter or  dissipated  habits  should  be  kept  on  duty  within  the 
limits  of  the  United  States,  where  they  can  be  disciplined  and 
supervised ;  nor  should  men  of  weak  physique  be  recommended 
for  foreign  service.     Unsuitable  men  are  a  source  of  weakness 
and  injury  either  in  Alaska  or  the  Philippines,  where  Signal 
Corps  men  generally  serve  on  detached  duty. 

6.  (a)   On  the  last  day  of  each  month  the  commanding  officer 
of  each  field  and  telegraph  company  will  forward  to  the  Chief 
Signal  Officer  of  the  Army,  through  his  commanding  officer,  a 
report  setting  forth  the  following  information : 

(1)  The  duty  performed  by  his  company  during  the  month. 

(2)  Recommendations  relative  to  increasing  the  efficiency  of 
Signal  Corps  field  and  telegraph  companies  or  their  equipment. 

Commanding  officers  of  Signal  Corps  organizations,  instead 
of  rendering  the  monthly  returns  of  their  organizations  on  Form 
No.  30,  A.  G.  O..  will  hereafter  make  such  returns  on  forms 
(S.  C.  Form  No.  285)  to  be  furnished  by  the  office  of  the  Chief 
Signal  Officer  (G.  O.  No.  30.  W.  D.,  1915). 

(&)  On  the  last  day  of  each  month  the  commanding  officer 
of  each  aviation  school  and  aero  squadron  will  forward  to  the 
Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  a  report  setting  forth  the 
following  information  : 

(1)  The  duty  performed  at  the  school  or  by  the  squadron 
during  the  month. 

(2)  The  number  of  aeroplanes,  giving  the  serial  numbers  and 
conditions  of  each. 

(3)  The  number  of  technical   motor  vehicles,  with  a  state- 
ment of  the  condition  of  each. 

(4)  A  statement  of  the  condition  of  allotments  and  balances. 


10  GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

(5)  Recommendations  relative  to  increasing  the  efficiency  of 
the  squadron  or  its  equipment. 

(c)  On  the  1st  day  of  January,  April,  July,  and  October  the 
commanding  officer  of  each  Signal  Corps  field  and  telegraph 
company  will  report  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army, 
through  his  commanding  officer,  the  following  information : 

(1)  The  number  of  wire-reel  carts,   instrument  wagons,   or 
other  special  vehicles  in  his  company,  giving  their  serial  num- 
bers and  their  condition. 

(2)  The  number  of  buzzers,   telegraph  induction   sets,  tele- 
phones and  switchboards,  with  a  statement  of  their  condition. 

(3)  The  number  of  miles  of  field,  buzzer,  or  other  wire. 

(4)  The    serial    number    and    description   of   all    radio    sets 
issued  to  the  company. 

(5)  The  number  of  public  animals. 

7.  At  every  permanent  station  of  the  Signal  Corps  the  word 
"  Signals  "  will  be  the  official  telegraphic  address  of  the  senior 
officer,   noncommissioned   officer,   or  civilian   employee  present, 
and   telegraph   companies,   post   offices,   and  other   proper   per- 
sons should  be  duly  notified.     When  telegrams  are  sent  to  indi- 
vidual officers  the  surname  of  such  individual  will  precede  the 
word  "  Signals." 

8.  An  official  copy  of  all  serial  orders  issued  by  officers  in 
charge  of  military  telegraph  lines  must  be  forwarded  to  the 
Chief  Signal  Officer  on  the  date  of  issue  for  his  information. 

ENLISTED  MEN. 

9.  Men  may  be  enlisted  for  the  Signal  Corps,  at  the  discretion 
of  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army,  in  the  class  or  grade 
for  which  they  are  competent  and  in  which  there  is  a  vacancy. 

10.  Master  signal  electricians,  first-class  sergeants,  sergeants, 
corporals,  cooks,  and  first-class  privates  may  be  reenlisted  for 
the   Signal   Corps   in   their   respective   grades,   and   their  war- 
rants and  appointments  continued  in  force  if  reenlistment  be 
made  on  the  day  following  that  of  discharge.     Each  reenlist- 
ment and  continuance  will  be  noted  on  the  warrant  or  appoint- 
ment.    If,  except  in  the  ca-ses  of  men  on  duty  in  the  Philippine 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    11 

and  Hawaiian  Departments,  the  officer  under  whom  the  soldier 
is  serving  does  not  deem  the  continuance  in  force  of  the  war- 
rant or  appointment  to  be  for  the  best  interests  of  the  service, 
he  will  make  a  report  in  detail  to  The  Adjutant  General  of  the 
Army,  through  military  channels,  not  less  than  three  months 
prior  to  expiration  of  the  soldier's  term  of  service,  in  order 
that  a  decision  may  be  made  before  the  date  of  discharge  and 
the  soldier  notified  thereof.  A  similar  report  will  be  made  to 
the  commanding  generals,  Philippine  and  Hawaiian  Depart- 
ments, respectively,  with  regard  to  Signal  Corps  men  stationed 
in  those  departments. 

11.  For  the  reenlistment  of  married  men  in  the  Signal  Corps 
permission  must  be  obtained  from  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of 
the  Army  for  men  on  duty  at  points  other  than  in  the  Philip- 
pine and  Hawaiian  Departments,  and  from  the  department  sig- 
nal officers,  Philippine  and  Hawaiian  Departments,  respectively, 
for  men  stationed  in  those  departments. 

12.  When  muster  rolls  of  Signal  Corps  men  are  rendered  to 
The  Adjutant  General  a  copy  will  also  be  sent   to   the  Chief 
Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  for  the  information  of  his  office. 

13.  In  case  of  the  death  of  an  enlisted  man  of  the  Signal  Corps 
his  commanding  officer  will  promptly  comply  with  the  require- 
ments of  paragraph  162,  Army  Regulations,  1913. 

14.  (a)   Whenever   a   noncommissioned  officer   of  the   Signal 
Corps  is  discharged  his  commanding  officer  will,  on  the  day  fol- 
lowing the  discharge,  inform  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army 
by  letter,  stating  the  character  given  and  whether  or  not  the 
soldier  reenlisted. 

(6)  Whenever  an  enlisted  man  of  the  Signal  Corps  is  dis- 
charged by  purchase,  his  company  commander  will  immediately 
report  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  the  date  and 
place  of  discharge  and  the  character  given. 

15.  (a)  All  enlisted  men  of  the  Signal  Corps  detached  and 
serving  at  stations  in  the  Eastern  Department  will  be  regarded 
as  members  of  Company  G,   Signal  Corps,  Fort  Wood,  N.  Y., 
and  their  names  will  be  borne  on  the  rolls  and  other  records 
of  that  company,  except  that  all  enlisted  men  of  the  Signal 
Corps  detached  and  serving  at  stations  in  the  Canal  Zone  will 


12  GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

be  regarded  as  members  of  Telegraph  Company  H,  Signal  Corps, 
Fort  Sam  Houston,  Tex.,  and  their  names  will  be  borne  on  the 
rolls  and  other  records  of  that  company  (22S5020,  A.  G.  O.). 

(6)  All  enlisted  men  of  the  Signal  Corps  detached  and  serv- 
ing at  stations  in  the  Central  Department  and  Southern  De- 
partment will  be  regarded  as  members  of  Company  B,  Signal 
Corps,  Fort  Leavenworth,  Kans.,  and  their  names  will  be  borne 
on  the  rolls  and  other  records  of  that  company. 

(c)  All  enlisted  men  of  the  Signal  Corps  detached  and  serv- 
ing at  stations  in  the  Western  Department  and  Hawaiian  De- 
partment, except  those  on  duty  in  connection  with  the  opera- 
tion of  the  Washington-Alaska  Military   Cable  and  Telegraph 
System,  wi1!  be  regarded  as  members  of  Company  M,   Signal 
Corps,  Fort  Mason,  Cal.,  and  their  names  will  be  borne  on  the 
rolls  and  other  records  of  that  company. 

(d)  All  enlisted  men  of  the  Signal  Corps  detached  and  serv- 
ing at  stations  in  the  Philippine  Department  will  be  regarded 
as  members  of  Company   F,    Signal   Corps,   Manila,   P.   I.,   and 
their  names  will  be  borne  on  the  rolls  and  other  records  of  that 
company. 

16.  O)  In  order  that  the  commanding  officers  of  the  afore- 
mentioned companies  may  have  full  information,  for  use  in 
the  preparation  of  muster  rolls,  regarding  all  changes  in  the 
status  of  the  men  of  their  companies  who  are  on  detached  duty, 
the  following  wall  be  furnished  to  them  by  the  immediate  com- 
manding officers  of  such  soldiers  on  detached  duty : 

(&)  In  case  of  discharge,  desertion,  death,  retirement,  or 
transfer  from  the  Signal  Corps,  a  complete  descriptive  list  of 
the  soldier. 

(c)  In  case  of  transfer  to  another  station  within  the  same 
department,  written  notice   showing  the  station  to  which  the 
soldier  wras  transferred,  the  authority  for  the  transfer,  and  the 
date  of  leaving  station. 

(d)  In   case   of   departure   on    or    return   from   furlough,   a 
written  notice  giving  the  authority  and  dates  thereof;   and  in 
case  of  convictions  by   summary  court-martial,   a  copy  of  the 
summary  court  record. 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    13 

(e)  In  case  of  enlistment  or  reenlistment,  a  copy  of  the 
soldier's  descriptive  and  assignment  card;  and  in  case  of  trans- 
fer to  the  Signals  Corps  from  other  organizations,  a  copy  of  the 
soldier's  descriptive  list. 

17.  In  case  of  assignment  to  one  of  the  companies  named  by 
transfer   from    another   geographical    department   or   from   an- 
other Signal  Corps  company  stationed  in  the  same  department, 
the  soldier's  descriptive  list  required  by  paragraph  115,  Army 
Regulations,  will  be  made  in  duplicate,  the  original  to  be  for- 
warded to  the  commanding  officer  of  the  station  to  which  the 
soldier  is  sent  and  the  duplicate  to  the  commanding  officer  of 
the   Signal  Corps  company  to  which  the  soldier's  new  assign- 
ment carries  him.     If  the  transfer  to  another  station  involves 
a  transfer  of  the  soldier  from  one  of  the  companies  named,  a 
triplicate  of  the  soldier's  descriptive  list  will  be  sent  to  the 
commanding  officer  of  the  Signal  Corps  company  from  which 
the  soldier  is  transferred. 

18.  Master  signal  electricians  of  the  Signal  Corps  should  be 
addressed  in  writing  and   referred   to   in   reports   under  their 
full  titles.     They  may,  however,  be  verbally  addressed  "  Elec- 
trician." 

19.  In  cases  where  master  signal  electricians  have  been  as- 
signed to  the  "post  noncommissioned  staff,"  they  will  be  dropped 
therefrom  and  transferred  to  a  company  of  the  Signal  Corps 
stationed  at  the  post  where  the  men  are  serving,  or  to  a  Sig- 
nal Corps  company  to  which  Signal  Corps  men  on  duty  in  the 
territorial    department   in    which    the    station    is    located    are 
attached. 

20.  Master  signal  electricians  of  the  Signal  Corps  will  be  sup- 
plied with  the  following  technical  books,  for  which  they  will 
be  accountable : 

One  copy  of  each  manual  issued  by  the  Signal  Corps  ( see 

par.  404). 

Electrical  Engineers'  Pocketbook,  Foster. 
Handbook  on  Engineering,  Tully. 
Gas,  Gasoline,  and  Oil  Engines,  Hiscox. 
Radiotelegraphy,  United  States  Signal  Corps. 


14  GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

21.  Short-term  men  will  not  be  recommended  for  foreign  serv- 
ice unless  they  agree  to  reenlist  upon  the  expiration  of  present, 
term  of  service,  and  then  only  when  such  statement  is  made 
in  writing.     In  all  such  cases  the  written  statement  will  be 
forwarded  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  with  the 
recommendation  for  assignment  to  foreign  service. 

22.  Enlisted  men  of  the  Signal  Corps  are  not  entitled  to  extra- 
duty  pay  unless  payment  thereof  is  directed  by  the  Secretary 
of  War.      (W.   D.   C.,   50,   1906.)      It  is  not  the  policy  of  the 
Chief   Signal   Officer  of  the  Army  to  detail   Signal   Corps   en- 
listed men   as   switchboard  operators  except  at   Signal   Corps 
posts.    For  extra -duty  pay  as  a  teamster,  baker,  or  similar  duty 
in  the  line  of  Signal  Corps  work,  application  should  be  made 
by    the    post    commander    to    The    Adjutant    General,    United 
States   Army,   requesting   authority   of  the   Secretary  of   War 
for  extra-duty  pay.     This  authority  can  not  be  retroactive,  and 
such  soldiers  are  not  entitled  to  extra  pay  until  the  date  of 
such  authority. 

23.  Each  enlisted  man  of  the  Signal  Corps  on  detached  service 
or  otherwise  separated  from  the  station  of  his  company  will, 
at    the    end    of    each    month,    prepare    a    personal    report    on 
Form  212.     This  report  will  be  forwarded  by  the  post  signal 
officer,  or  other  officer  in  charge,  through  the  post  commander, 
to  the  commanding  officer  of  his  company.     The  Signal  Corps 
company  commander  will  note  the  information  given  and  for- 
ward this   report   to   the   signal   officer  of  the  department   in 
which  the  soldier  is  serving  for  file.     The  signal  officer  of  each 
department,    upon    receipt    of    these    personal    reports    of    de- 
tached enlisted  men,  will  prepare  a  consolidated  statement  and 
include  it  with  his  monthly  report  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer 
of  the  Army. 

24.  Enlisted  men  of  the  Signal  Corps  are  expected  to  perform 
all  duties  in  connection  with  the  transmission  of  military  in- 
formation for  the  use  of  the  Army.     At  military  posts  it  is 
discretionary  with  post  commanders  to  require  them  to  assist 
the  post  signal  officers  in  the  matter  of  signal  instruction,  caiv 


GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    15 

Df  Signal  Corps  property,  etc.,  as  the  former  may  deem  the  pub- 
ic interests  or  special  conditions  require. 

FURLOUGHS. 

25.  Furloughs  granted  to  enlisted  men  of  the  Signal  Corps  sta- 
.ioned   at    Signal    Corps   posts   will   conform   to   the   following 
oeriods  of  time : 

To  soldiers  serving  in  their  first  year,  not  to  exceed  20  days, 
ind  then  only  in  case  of  emergency. 

To  soldiers  serving  in  their  second  year,  not  to  exceed  1 
.nonth  and  10  days  during  first  and  second  years  of  service. 

To  soldiers  serving  in  their  third  year,  not  to  exceed  two 
months  during  three  years  of  service. 

To  soldiers  immediately  reenlisting  in  the  Signal  Corps  after 
;hree  years'  service,  not  to  exceed  three  months. 

A  furlough  for  more  than  three  months  will  be  granted  only 
;o  soldiers  with  foreign  service  and  excellent  character  after 
six  years'  service  without  previous  furlough  and  where  urgent 
ieed  is  clearly  cited. 

Under  Army  Regulation  306  it  is  forbidden  to  grant  a  fur- 
.ough  to  a  soldier  about  to  be  discharged. 

Commanding  officers  of  Signal  Corps  companies  will  be  gov- 
erned accordingly  in  forwarding  applications  for  furloughs  from 
members  of  their  companies. 

26.  Whenever  enlisted  men  of  the  Signal  Corps  are  returned  to 
the  United  States,  by  virtue  of  a  furlough,  from  the  Philippines 
)r  Alaska,  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  should  be  noti- 
aed  at  once  in  writing,  and  the  descriptive  list  of  such  soldier 
forwarded.     If  from  the  Philippines,  to  the  department  signal 
officer.  Western  Department ;  and  if  from  Alaska,  to  the  officer  in 
zharge,  Washington-Alaska  Military  Cable  and  Telegraph  Sys- 
tem.    The  soldier  should  also  be  directed  to  report  his  post- 
Dffice  address  to  the  same  office  and  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer 
Df  the  Army  in  order  that  he  may  be  communicated  with  if 
;Qecessary. 

27.  No  enlisted  man  of  the  Signal  Corps  will  be  granted  a 
furlough  to  visit  the  United  States  without  being  informed  that 

98483°— 15 2 


16  GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  will  grant  no  change  of 
station  to  men  on  furlough  unless  such  change  shall  be  recom- 
mended by  the  signal  officer  to  whose  command  the  furloughed 
soldier  belongs. 

DETACHMENTS,  COMPANIES,  ETC. 

28.  (a)  Detachments  of  the   Signal  Corps  shall  be  exempt 
from  detail  for  any  other  duty,  except  when  in  the  judgment 
of  the  commanding  officer  the  importance  of  the  duty  will  not 
permit  exemption.     (A.  R.  364.) 

(I)  When  detachments  of  the  Signal  Corps  of  less  than  30 
men  are  on  duty  at  stations  garrisoned  by  other  troops,  the 
officers  and  men  of  the  former  will  not  be  required  to  perform 
guard  duty,  and  will  be  required  to  perform  only  such  police 
duty  as  may  be  necessary  around  their  own  barracks,  store- 
houses, and  other  buildings. 

(c)  When  detachments  of  the  Signal  Corps  of  30  or  more 
men  form  a  part  of  a  garrison  the  officers  and  men  may,  in 
the  discretion  of  the  commanding  officer,  be  required  to  per- 
form the  necessary  guard  duty  to  protect  the  storehouses,  sheds, 
stables,  parks,  and  corrals  pertaining  to  the  Signal  Corps,  pro- 
vided such  property  can  not  be  properly  guarded  by  including 
observation  thereof  in  the  duties  of  sentinel  posts  or  patrols 
already  established.  The  necessary  police  duty  around  such 
buildings  and  property  will  be  assigned  to  enlisted  men  of  the 
Signal  Corps,  but  they  will  be  exempt  from  the  ordinary  police 
duties  of  the  garrison.  (Circ.  48,  W.  D.,  1904.) 

29.  At  ceremonies  the  position  of  companies  or  detachments  of 
the  Signal  Corps,  if  dismounted,  will  be  as  laid  down  in  para- 
graph 6,  Army  Regulations,  1913,  viz : 

On  the  right  of  the  command  to  which  they  are  attached. 

If  mounted,  they  will  form  on  the  other  flank.  If  both  En- 
gineers and  Signal  Corps  troops  are  together,  the  former,  for 
ceremonies,  will  form  on  the  right  of  the  latter.  (Circ.  36, 
W.  D.,  1906.) 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    17 

PROMOTION    OF    NONCOMMISSIONED    OFFICERS. 

30.  Promotions  aud  reductions  in  the  Signal  Corps  are  made 
by  the  Chief  Signal   Officer  of  Hie  Army  or  by  his  authority. 
(See  Circ.  No.  4,  W.  D..  Office  of  the  Chief  Signal  Officer.  May 
6,  1913;  Circ.  No.  2,  W.  D.,  Office  of  the  Chief  Signal  Officer, 
Jan.  3,  1914 ;  and  Circ.  No.  3,  W.  D.,  Office  of  the  Chief  Signal 
Officer,  July,  19,  1915.)     All  enlistments  are  usually  made  in 
the  grade  of  private,  but  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army 
is  authorized  to  enlist  men  in  the  noncommissioned  grades  in 
special  cases.     Promotions  can  very  rarely  be  made,  except  to 
fill  vacancies  occurring  from  time  to  time,  and  recommendations 
for  such  promotions  mus-t  be  made  with  unusual  caution,  the 
object  being  to   secure  the  advancement  of  the  most  deserv- 
ing and  suitable  men. 

31.  (a)  All  master  signal  electricians  will  be  appointed  as 
hereinafter  prescribed  from  the  entire  Signal  Corps  after  ex- 
amination.    All  first-class  sergeants  of  other  than  depot  com- 
panies  will  be  appointed  by   the  Chief   Signal   Officer  of  the 
Army  upon  the  recommendation  of  the  company  commander, 
made  as  a  result  of  an  examination  conducted  by  him  of  the 
sergeants  of  his  company  and  approved  by  the   Chief  Signal 
Officer  of  the  Army.     All  vacancies  in  the  grade  of  first-class 
sergeant  occurring  in  depot  companies  will  be  filled  after  exam- 
ination as  hereinafter  prescribed. 

(&)  All  sergeants,  corporals,  cooks,  and  first-class  privates 
of  other  than  depot  companies  will  be  appointed  by  the  Chief 
Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  upon  the  recommendation  of  their 
company  commanders.  All  vacancies  in  the  grades  of  sergeant, 
corporal,  cook,  or  first-class  private  occurring  in  depot  com- 
panies will  be  filled  by  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army. 

32.  Examinations  for  the  rating  of  aviation  mechanicians  will 
be  held  at  such  times  as  the  exigencies  of  the  service  require. 
All  enlisted  men  of  the  Aviation  Section  of  the  Signal  Corps 
who  desire  to  take  the  examination  will  apply  in  writing  to 
The  Adjutant  General  of  the  Army.     An  aviation  examining 


18  GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

I 

board,  to  be  composed  of  three  officers  of  experience  in  the 
aviation  service  and  two  medical  officers,  will  be  constituted 
from  time  to  time  to  conduct  such  technical  examinations  as 
may  be  prescribed.  This  examination  will  be  both  theoretical 
and  practical,  the  theoretical  examination  to  be  limited  to  such 
questions  as  are  considered  necessary  to  show  that  the  candi- 
date's practical  knowledge  is  based  on  correct  theoretical  infor- 
mation. The  subjects  will  be  maintenance  and  repair  of  aero- 
planes and  the  operation,  maintenance,  and  repair  of  aeronau- 
tical engines. 

33.  (a)  Examinations  for  the  eligible  list  for  promotion  to 
the  grade  of  master  signal  electrician  will  be  confined  to  first- 
class  sergeants  of  the  entire  corps  of  not  less  than  three 
years  of  excellent  and  continuous  service  in  that  grade  and 
not  less  than  nine  years'  service  in  the  Army.  Examinations 
for  the  eligible  list  for  promotion  to  the  grade  of  first-class 
sergeant  of  depot  companies  will  be  confined  to  sergeants  of 
depot  companies  of  not  less  than  two  years  of  excellent  and 
continuous  service  in  that  grade  and  not  less  than  five  years' 
service  in  the  Army.'  The  dates  of  holding  these  examinations 
will  be  announced  from  time  to  time  in  orders  from  the  office 
of  the  Chief  Signal  Officer.  Officers  conducting  examinations 
will  forward  all  papers  direct  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the 
Army. 

(6)  When  a  vacancy  occurs  in  the  grade  of  first-class  sergeant 
in  a  field  or  telegraph  company,  created  other  than  by  transfer 
to  another  organization  of  the  Signal  Corps,  the  commanding 
officer  of  such  company  will  take  steps  to  hold  an  examiation 
with  a  view  to  filling  the  vacancy.  This  examination  will  be 
confined,  unless  otherwise  authorized  by  the  Chief  Signal  Officer 
of  the  Army,  to  sergeants  of  not  less  than  one  year  of  excellent 
and  continuous  service  in  that  grade  and  not  less  than  five 
years'  service  in  the  Army,  and  all  sergeants  of  the  company 
fulfilling  these  requirements  will  be  afforded  an  opportunity  to 
take  the  examination.  Upon  the  completion  of  the  examination, 
the  papers  will  be  rated  by  the  company  commander,  and  for- 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.   19 

warded  to  the  Chief  Signal  -Officer  of  the  Army,  giving  the  name 
of  the  solider  recommended  for  promotion.  All  promotions  will 
be  made  by  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  and  announced 
in  orders  from  his  office. 

(c)  Applications  for  permission  to  take  these  examinations 
from  men  serving  at  points  other  than  in  the  Philippine  Islands 
must  reach  the  Office  of  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army 
not    later   than    February    15    of   each   year.      Candidates   for 
these   examinations   in    the   Philippine   Islands   will   be   desig- 
nated by  the  department  signal  officer,  Philippine  Department, 
and   their  names  must   reach   the   Office   of  the   Chief   Signal 
Officer  of  the  Army  not  later  than  February  1  of  each  year. 

(d)  Examination  questions  will  be  prepared  each  year  in  the 
Office  of  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army,  and  a  sufficient 
number  of  copies  furnished  the  signal  officer  of  each  department 
and   the  officer  in   charge,   Washington-Alaska   Military   Cable 
and  Telegraph  System,  to  supply  each  candidate  with  a  copy. 
The  signal  officer  of  each  department  and  the  officer  in  charge, 
Washington-Alaska  Military  Cable  and  Telegraph  System,  will 
notify  each  applicant  for  examination  of  the  action  taken  by 
the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  on  his  application,  and  will 
make  the  necessary  arrangements  for  conducting  the  exami- 
nations. 

(e)tM\  papers  will  be  rated  in  the  Office  of  the  Chief  Signal 
Officer  of  the  Army.  It  should  be  clearly  understood  that  the 
passing  of  these  examinations  does  not  insure  promotion.  These 
examinations  are  competitive,  and  only  vacancies  occurring 
from  the  date  of  examination  to  the  date  set  for  the  next  annual 
examination  (inclusive)  may  be  filled  from  those  having  the 
highest  total  rating.  Those  candidates  who  have  not  been 
promoted  during  the  year  following  their  examination  may  be 
authorized,  on  application  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the 
Army,  to  have  their  examination  papers  which  were  submitted 
at  the  last  annual  examination  considered  by  the  board  at  the 
coming  examination  in  lieu  of  standing  a  new  examination. 


20      GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

34.   (a)   Candidates  for  promotion  to  the  grade  of  master  sig- 
nal electrician  will  be  examined  in  the  following  subjects: 

Value  (units). 

1.  Electricity  and  Signal  Corps  Manual  No.  3 100 

2.  Drill    Regulations    for    Field    Companies    of    the    Signal    Corps, 

1911 10 

3.  Gasoline   engines 10 

4.  Army  Regulations 5 

5.  Algebra,  not  including  quadratics 10 

6.  Signal  Corps  Manual  No.  2 5 

7.  Signal  Book,  United  States  Army,  1914 5 

8.  Signal  Corps  Manual  No.   7 10 

9.  Radiotelegraphy 30 

10.  Telegraphy 10 

11.  Visual   signaling 5 

12.  Record  and  recommendations 50 

Total 250 

(6)   Candidates  for  promotion  to  the  grade  of  first-class  ser- 
geant of  depot  companies  will  be  examined  in  the  following 

subjects : 

Value  (units). 

1.  Electricity  and  Signal  Corps  Manual  No.  3. 80 

2.  Army  Regulations , 5 

3.  Signal  Corps  Manual  No.  2 5 

4.  Signal  Book,  United  States  Army,   1914 5 

5.  Signal  Corps  Manual  No.   7 10 

6.  Radiotelegraphy __  20 

7.  Telegraphy 10 

8.  Visual   signaling 5 

9.  Record  and  recommendations-.  50 


Total 190 

(c)   Examination  of  sergeants  of  field  companies. 

Subjects.  Value. 

1.  Ability  to  command  men  (including  forcefulness.  dignity,  jus- 

tice, and  general  results  in  commanding  a  section,  or  a  de- 
tachment on  any  work ;  record  in  service  and  practical 
demonstration) 150 

2.  Character   as   a   soldier    (including   moral   character,    habits, 

subordination,  industry,  and  military  bearing) 200 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    21 

Value. 

3.  Ability  as  a  telegraph  operator 200 

(a)   "Expert"  (30  words  American  Morse,  25  words 

radio  and  cable  operators) 200 

(6)    "First-class  operator"   (25  words  American  and 

International  Morse) 150 

(c)  "Operator"  (20  words  one  code,  msg.  form) 100 

(d)  "  Student  operator"  (10  words  American  Morse)-     50 

4.  Electricity   (Swoope  text) 100 

5.  Radio  telegraphy 60 

6.  Drill  Regulations   (field  company) 80 

7.  Visual   signaling    (signal   book,   and  qualification   with   flag, 

semaphore,  lamp,  and  Ardois) 50 

8.  Horsemanship   (practical  and  theoretical) 50 

9.  Clerical  ability  (company  records,  property  papers,  and  mess 

accounts;  penmanship,  typewriting,  and  stenography) 60 

10.  Mechanical  ability   (gas  engines,  motorcycles,  iron  and  wood 

working) •         50 


Total 1,  000 

(d)   Examination  of  sergeants  of  telegraph  companies. 

Subjects.  Value. 

1.  Ability  to  command  men   (including  forcefulness,  dignity,  jus- 

tice, and  general  results  in  commanding  a  section,  or  a  de- 
tachment on  any  work  ;  record  in  service  and  practicable 
demonstration) 150 

2.  Character   as   a   soldier    (including   moral   character,    habits, 

subordination,  industry,  and  military  bearing) 200 

3.  Ability  as  a  telegraph  operator 200 

(a)   "  Expert"  (30  words  American  Morse,  25  words 

radio  and  cable   operators) 200 

(6)    "First-class  operator"  (25  words  American  and 

International  Morse) 150 

(c)  "Operator"   (20  words  one  code  msg.  form) 100 

(d)  "  Student  operator"  (10  words  American  Morse)-     50 

4.  Electricity   (Swoope  text) 100 

5.  Local  and  common  battery  telephone  installation  and  main- 

tenance         200 

6.  Horsemanship   (practical  and  theoretical) 50 

7.  Visual   signaling    (signal   book,   and   qualification   with   flag, 

semaphore,   lamp,  and  heliograph) 50 

8.  Clerical  ability  (company  records,  property  papers,  and  mess 

accounts;  penmanship,  typewriting,  and  stenography) 50 


22  GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

Value. 

9.  Mechanical   ability    (In  any  of  the  following  lines  :  Gas  en- 
gines, motor  cycles,   automobiles,   blacksmith,  wheelwright, 
horseshoer,    woodwork,    buzzer    system,    radio    telegraphy, 
switchboard    operator,    lineman,    saddler,    farrier,    lighting 
system,   and   cable   splicer ;   50   for   each   up   to   100   as   a 

maximum 100 

10.  Expert  in  any  of  the  subjects  mentioned  in  paragraph  9  to 
have  corresponding  weight  as  in  paragraph  9  (50  for  each 
up  to  100  as  a  maximum) 100 


Total 1,  200 

35,  (a)  The  examination  in  electricity  will  be  confined  to  the 
subject  matter  contained  in  the  latest  edition  of  Swoope's 
Lessons  in  Practical  Electricity.  In  addition,  candidates  for 
the  grade  of  master  signal  electrician  will  be  examined  in 
alternating  currents  as  treated  in  the  I.  C.  S.  pamphlets  on  that 
subject. 

(&)  The  examination  in  gasoline  engines  will  be  confined  to 
the  subject  matter  contained  in  the  following  I.  C.  S.  pamphlets : 

(a)  Principles  of  the  gas  engine. 

(6)   Carbureters. 

(c)  Electric  ignition  devices. 

(d)  Troubles  and  remedies. 

(c)  The  examination  in  Army  Regulations  will  be  confined  to 
subjects  pertaining  to  the  Signal  Corps  and  to  subjects  j>ertain- 
ing  to  all  enlisted  men  of  the  Army. 

(d)  The  examination  in  radiotelegraphy  will  be  taken  from 
"  Radiotelegraphy,  U.  S.  Signal  Corps  (Cir.  1,  Office  Chief  Signal 
Officer,  1914)." 

(e)  In  the  subject  of  telegraphy  each  candidate  will  submit 
a  statement  showing  all  his  experience  as  a  wire,  radio,  and 
cable  operator  in  the  United  States  Army,  which  will  be  verified 
from  the  records  of  the  Office  of  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of 
the  Army.    The  statement  will  show  the  dates  of  beginning  and 
ending  of  each  assignment  as  operator,  together  with  the  exact 
nature  of  the  duty  performed.     In  case  of  duty  as  radio  oper- 
ator, the  candidate  will  specify  the  place  of  duty  and  the  type 
of  radio  set  used.    By  cable  operator  is  meant  an  operator  work- 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.   23 

ing  on  a  long  cable  such  as  the  Seattle-Sitka  cable,  where  re- 
cording instruments  are  operated  and  the  Continental  Code  used. 
(/)  In  connection  with  the  subject  of  record  and  recom- 
mendations, each  candidate  will  submit  a  statement  of  the 
technical  duty  performed  by  him  in  the  Signal  Corps  during 
the  past  five  years,  giving  dates  of  the  commencement  and  end- 
ing of  the  same,  the  name  of  the  officer  under  whom  the  duty 
was  performed,  together  with  a  clear  statement  of  the  nature 
of  the  technical  duty.  The  object  of  this  statement  is  to  fur- 
nish evidence  as  to  the  nature  of  technical  work  which  the 
candidate  has 'been  doing  in  the  past  five  years.  It  will  not  be 
sufficient  for  a  candidate  to  report,  for  example,  that  during  a 
certain  period  he  served  as  a  member  of  Field  Company  A  at  a 
certain  post.  The  statement  should  show,  in  addition  to  this 
fact,  that  during  the  period  he  served  as  a  radio  operator  in  a 
radio  section,  as  operator  in  a  wire  section,  or  otherwise  specify 
the  nature  of  the  duty  performed  in  the  company.  An  assign- 
ment of  duty  can  be  described  as  follows : 

January  1,  1909-June  28,  1909,  served  at  New  London,  Conn.,  under 
Capt.  John  Smith,  Signal  Corps,  in  connection  with  installation  of  a 
standard  fire-control  system.  During  this  time  I  installed  all  terminal 
cabinets  and  two  time-interval  devices.  Assisted  Electrical  Asst.  Wil- 
liam Jones  in  wiring  three  battery  plotting  rooms. 

June  30,  1909-August  11,  1910,  served  at  Fort  Myer,  Va.,  under 
First  Lieut.  Henry  James,  Sixteenth  Cavalry,  post  signal  officer,  as 
post  telegraph  operator.  I  received  and  transmitted  messages  over  the 
loop  connecting  that  post  with  the  Western  Union  office  at  Washington. 

(g)  Each  candidate  will  be  given  a  practical  examination  in 
visual  signaling,  which  shall  consist  of  sending  and  receiving 
ordinary  messages  of  not  less  than  10  words  each,  using  the 
2-foot  flag  kit  and  the  General  Service  Code.  The  examining 
officer  will  certify  as  to  the  number  of  letters  per  minute  the 
candidate  is  able  to  send  and  receive  correctly.  There  will  be 
only  one  rating  in  this  examination;  that  is,  5  for  15  mixed 
letters  per  minute  or  over,  the  candidate  recording  the  letters 
himself.  For  anything  less  than  15  mixed  letters  per  minute 
no  credit  will  be  given. 


24  GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

36.  The  examinations  will  be  held  as  follows: 

FIRST    DAY. 

Forenoon,  three  hours,  electricity. 

Afternoon,  three  hours,  Drill  Regulation  and  Army  Regulation. 

SECOND    DAY. 

Forenoon,  three  hours,  radiotelegraphy. 

Afternoon,  three  hours,  Signal  Corps  Manual  No.  7. 

THIRD   DAY. 

Forenoon,  three  hours,  Signal  Corps  Manual  No.  3  and  Signal  Book, 
United  States  Army. 

Afternoon,  three  hours,  Signal  Corps  Manual  No.  2. 

FOURTH  DAY    (FOR    MASTER   SIGNAL  ELECTRICIAN). 

Forenoon,  three  hours,  algebra. 
Afternoon,  three  hours,  gasoline  engines. 

The  time  for  holding  the  examination  in  visual  signaling  will 
be  left  to  the  discretion  of  the  officer  in  charge  of  the  examina- 
tion. 

37.  Every  officer  in  charge  of  examinations  coming  under  the 
provisions  of  the  preceding  paragraphs  is  hereby  required  to 
certify  that  the  examination  was  conducted  in  the  prescribed 
order;  that  he  was  present  in  the  room  during  the  entire  time 
the   theoretical   examination    was   being   conducted;    that   the 
candidates  were  not  allowed  to  receive  assistance  of  any  kind 
in  any  subject  after  the  questions  on  that  subject  had  once  been 
given  them ;  that  the  examination  questions  were  kept  in  his 
personal  possession,  under  seal,   and  that  the  seals-  were  not 
broken  until  the  hour  set  for  the  examination.    The  officer  con- 
ducting the  examination  will  require  each  candidate  to  submit 
the  statements  prescribed  in  connection  with  "  Record  and  rec- 
ommendations "  and  "Telegraphy." 

38.  Warrants  issued  to  first-class  sergeants  and  sergeants  of 
other  than  depot  companies  will  be  in  force  only  during  the 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    25 

service  of  the  noncommissioned  officers  in  the  organizations  in 
which  they  are  appointed.  Noncommissioned  officers  of  the  two 
grades  specified  who  leave  such  organizations  by  transfer  or 
otherwise  will  forfeit  their  warrants  and  revert  to  the  grade 
previously  held  by  them  before  entry  into  the  company.  In 
cases  where  such  reduction  brings  the  grade  to  which  the  non- 
commissioned officer  is  reduced  beyond  the  number  authorized 
by  law  for  the  entire  Signal  Corps  a  vacancy  will  be  held  in 
the  grade  from  which  such  noncommissioned  officer  was  re- 
turned until  a  vacancy  occurs  in  the  lower  grade  to  which  he 
may  be  appointed.  This  restriction,  however,  will  not  be  con- 
strued to  cause  the  reduction  of  noncommissioned  officers  serv- 
ing in  companies  other  than  depot  companies  when  transferred 
by  authority  of  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  from  or- 
ganizations on  foreign  service  to  similar  organizations  serving 
in  the  United  States,  nor  to  cause  a  reduction  of  noncommis- 
sioned officers  of  companies  other  than  depot  companies  when 
transferred  by  authority  of  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army 
from  organizations  serving  in  the  United  States  to  similar 
organizations  serving  on  foreign  service. 

TRANSFERS    OF    NONCOMMISSIONED    OFFICERS. 

39.  (a)  Transfers  of  noncommissioned  officers  from  field  or 
telegraph  companies  to  other  Signal  Corps  organizations  will 
not  be  authorized  unless  special  and  most  unusual  reasons  ap- 
pear for  the  transfer.  Mutual  transfers  of  noncommissioned 
officers  of  companies  of  the  Signal  Corps  to  other  organizations 
of  the  Signal  Corps  may  be  authorized  if  approved  by  the  com- 
manding officers  of  the  organizations  concerned. 

(6)  Transfers  of  noncommissioned  officers  of  field  or  tele- 
graph companies  stationed  in  the  United  States  to  similar  com- 
panies on  foreign  duty  will  be  made  from  time  to  time  to  fill 
existing  vacancies,  and  noncommissioned  officers  of  field  or 
telegraph  companies  on  foreign  duty  will  be  transferred  to 


26     GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

similar  organizations  stationed  in  the  United  States  upon  the 
completion  of  their  foreign-service  tours. 

(c)  All  applications  for  the  transfer  of  noncommissioned  offi- 
cers of  Signal  Corps  companies  stationed  in  the  United  States 
to  other  organizations  will  be  submitted  to  the  Chief  Signal 
Officer  of  the  Army  for  action.  The  department  signal  officer, 
Philippine  Department,  and  the  department  signal  officer,  Ha- 
waiian Department,  are  authorized  to  make  mutual  transfers 
of  noncommissioned  officers  of  organizations  stationed  in  their 
departments.  All  other  applications  for  transfer  will  be  sub- 
mitted to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army. 

40.  The  commanding  officer  of  each  company  of  the  Signal 
Corps  will  prepare  on  March  31  and  September  30  of  each  year 
a  report  in  regard  to  the  duties  and  conduct  during  the  pre- 
ceding six  months  of  each  master  signal  electrician,  first-class 
sergeant,  sergeant,  and  corporal  of  his  company. 

41.  These  reports,  with  the  exceptions  given  below,  will  be 
sent  to.  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  through  the  com- 
manding officer  of  the  post  where  the  company  is  stationed  and 
the  department  signal  officer  of  the  department  in  which  the 
company  is  located,  who  will  indorse  on  the  back  of  each  report 
their  remarks  or  recommendations. 

Commanding  officers  of  field  companies  will  send  the  reports 
direct  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army. 

Commanding  officers  of  companies  on  duty  in  connection  with 
the  operation  of  the  Washington-Alaska  Military  Cable  and 
Telegraph  System  will  forward  the  reports  direct  to  the  officer 
in  charge  of  that  system,  who  will  send  them  to  the  Chief  Signal 
Officer  of  the  Army  with  his  remarks  or  recommendations. 

It  is  desired  that  special  care  be  exercised  in  preparing  the 
reports  and  that  the  officer  signing  them  inform  himself  fully 
regarding  such  men  as  are  on  detached  service,  so  that  no  in- 
justice may  be  done  any  man,  as  upon  these  reports  may  depend 
a  soldier's  promotion  or  selection  for  important  duties. 

Forms  for  rendering  these  reports  will  be  supplied  from  the 
Office  of  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army. 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    27 
DEPARTMENT    SIGNAL    OFFICERS. 

42.  (a)  On  the  last  day  of  each  month,  or  as  soon  thereafter 
as  possible,  the  department   signal  officer  of  each  department 
will  render  a  report,  addressed  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of 
the  Army,  to  include  the  following: 

Progress  in  construction  of  post  telephone  systems,  with  ref- 
erences to  material  on  outstanding  requisitions  which  appear 
to  be  unusually  delayed. 

Report  of  line  receipts,  number  and  classes  of  messages  han- 
dled, and  changes  in  each  military  telegraph  office  or  line  in  that 
department. 

A  statement  of  civilian  employees,  with  their  stations  and 
duties,  except  such  as  may  be  employed  at  general  supply 
depots  of  the  Signal  Corps. 

A  statement  of  enlisted  men  of  the  Signal  Corps  detached  from 
Signal  Corps  posts,  with  their  stations  and  duties. 

A  report  of  interruptions  to  military  telegraph  lines  of  more 
than  one-half  day,  with  duration,  cause,  etc. 

If  fire-control  installations  are  in  progress  at  coast  defenses, 
the  monthly  report  should  include  a  statement  of  the  progress 
at  each  post,  with  the  percentage  of  completion. 

In  the  Western  Department  the  statement  of  enlisted  men  on 
detached  service  will  include  only  those  in  the  United  States. 

(6)  In  addition  to  the  above,  the  officer  in  charge  of  the 
Washington-Alaska  Military  Cable  and  Telegraph  System  will 
include  a  report  of  cable  operations,  transfer  of  money  by  tele- 
graph, the  amount  of  press  messages  handled,,  stations  and 
duties  of  officers  and  enlisted  men  of  line  organizations  serving 
with  the  Signal  Corps,  telegraph  offices  opened  and  closed,  and 
all  other  matter  which  should  be  of  record  in  the  office  of  the 
Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army. 

(c)  The  department  signal  officer,  Philippine  Department,  will 
render  monthly  reports  as  indicated  above,  including  changes 
in  Signal  Corps  telegraph  offices,  lines,  and  cables. 

43.  At  the  end  of  each  fiscal  year,  or  as  soon  thereafter  as 
possible,  the  department  signal  officer  of  each  department  and 


28  GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

the  officer  in  charge,  Washington- Ala  ska  Military  Cable  and 
Telegraph  System,  will  prepare  an  annual  report,  addressed 
to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army,  which  will  comprise 
a  summary  of  all  monthly  reports  during  the  year,  inclusive 
of  statement  by  stations  of  line  receipts  and  value  of  official 
and  D.  H.  messages,  and,  in  particular,  recommendations  for 
the  employment  of  the  Signal  Corps  in  that  department  for  the 
following  year.  In  addition  to  a  summary  of  information  in- 
cluded in  the  monthly  reports,  it  will  include  the  following : 

A  list  of  all  land  telegraph  stations,  with  the  length  of  the 
line  and  whether  confined  strictly  to  official  business;  and  if 
not,  whether  any  charge  is  made  for  the  transmission  of 
messages. 

A  list  of  all  radio  telegraph  stations,  with  call  letter  and 
power. 

A  list  of  all  long-distance  telephone  lines. 

A  list  of  all  Signal  Corps  submarine  cables  installed  for  other 
than  purely  fire-control  purposes. 

44.  Officers  in  charge  of  military  telegraph  lines  in  the  United 
States,  who,  under  existing  regulations,   render  accounts  cur- 
rent of  telegraphic  receipts  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the 
Army,    will    furnish    to    the    department   signal    officer   of   the 
department  in  which  the  lines  may  be  located  or  to  those  officers 
specially  designated  to  have  charge  of  these  lines  a  copy  of  their 
monthly  account  current  without  vouchers.     This  copy  will  be 
forwarded  at  the  same  time  as  the  copies  sent  to  the  Chief 
Signal  Officer  of  the  Army. 

45.  The  department  signal  officer  to  whom  the  copies  men- 
tioned in  the  foregoing  paragraph  are  forwarded  will  keep  in 
his  office  a  ledger  account  showing  the  amount  received  each 
month  by  each  officer,  the  amount  transmitted  or  deposited,  the 
amount  remaining  on  hand,  and  such  other  details  as  may  be 
considered  necessary. 

46.  It  will  be  a  part  of  the  duties  of  the  department  signal 
officer  or  other  designated  officer  to  see  that  the  officers  and  non- 
commissioned officers   responsible  for  telegraphic   receipts  de- 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    29 

posit  or  transfer  these  receipts  promptly.  In  case  of  delays 
proper  instructions  should  be  issued  to  correct  such  delin- 
quencies and  prevent  their  recurrence. 

47.  Accounts  current  for  funds  collected  on  telegraph  systems 
in  the  Philippine  and  Hawaiian  Departments  will  be  forwarded 
through  the  respective  department  signal  officer.     The  depart- 
ment signal  officer  will,  as  soon  as  the  accounts  of  all  stations 
have  been  examined  and  adjusted,  forward  to  the  Chief  Signal 
Officer  of  the  Army  an  abstract  showing  the  total  amounts  re- 
ceived, transferred,  deposited,  etc.,  for  each  month.     This  does 
not  apply  to  radio  stations  open  for  commercial  business. 

48.  Department   signal  officers  will   make  the  necessary  ar- 
rangements  for   the   inspection   of   post   telephone   systems  by 
competent  inspectors  (see  par.  431).     Telephone  systems  at  in- 
terior posts   will   be  inspected  twice  annually  under  the  pro- 
visions of  paragraph  11,  General  Orders,  5,  War  Department, 
1913,  and  reports  of  the  inspectors  rendered  on  Forms  Nos. 
209  and  211. 

49.  In  departments  containing  seacoast  fortifications,  General 
Orders,   146,  War  Department,  1911,   require  all   Signal  Corps 
systems  and  equipment  at  each  seacoast  fortification  to  be  in- 
spected and  tested,  if  practicable,  during  the  six  months  pre- 
ceding June  30  of  each  year  by  the  department  signal  officer, 
using  Forms  Xos.  204  and  211. 

50.  Radiotelegraph  installations  of  the  Signal  Corps  at  any 
post   should   be   inspected   at   the   time   the   remainder   of   the 
Signal  Corps  installation  is  inspected,  and  reports  of  the  inspec- 
tions rendered  on  Form  No.  207. 

51.  Department  signal  officers  are  directed  to  promptly  advise 
the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  of  the  names  of  all  the 
officers   or  enlisted   men   assigned  to   duty  as   storekeepers  of 
signal-corps  property,  either  for  general  use  or  for  fire-control 
purposes,  so  that  proper  check  of  property  received  or  issued 
by  them  may  be  made  in  the  examination  of  property  returns. 

52.  The  department  signal  officer  will  recommend  to  the  Chief 
Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  on  April  1  of  each  year  the  number 


30  GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

of  switchboard  operators  (to  whom  extra-duty  pay  will  be  paid) 
required  at  each  interior  post  in  the  department  to  efficiently 
operate  Signal  Corps  switchboards,  indicating  the  number  of 
telephones  in  each  system,  whether  the  hours  of  service  are 
continuous  or  limited,  and  the  average  number  of  calls  per  day. 

The  assignment  of  switchboard  operators  receiving  extra- 
duty  pay  at  switchboards  owned  by  commercial  companies  is 
unauthorized. 

Changes  in  the  apportionment  of  switchboard  operators  at 
interior  posts  (see  Bui.  No.  27,  W.  D.,  1914)  are  published  in 
bulletins  of  the  War  Department. 

Changes  in  the  apportionment  of  clerks  and  switchboard  op- 
erators at  coast-defense  posts,  as  prescribed  in  Circular  No.  43, 
War  Department,  June  27,  1910,  will  be  communicated  to  those 
concerned  by  letter  or  indorsement.  (G.  O.,  No.  56,  W.  D., 
1911.) 

53.  It  is  the  duty  of  the  department  signal  officer  to  carefully 
scrutinize  the  reports  of  post  telephone  inspections  and  see  that 
the    provisions    of    paragraph    431    have    been    complied    with. 
Should  inspectors  recommend  that  additional  material  be  sup- 
plied to  increase  the  efficiency  of  posts  systems,  the  department 
signal  officer  should   take  the  necessary   steps  to   insure   that 
requisitions  for  the  required  material  or  equipment  are  promptly 
submitted. 

54.  It  is  the  duty  of  the  department  signal  officer  to  investi- 
gate each   requisition   for   signal   equipment  and   supplies  for- 
warded through  his  office  and  to   indorse  thereon  his  recom- 
mendation concerning  the  material  to  be  furnished.     In  each 
case   where   requisitions  contain   insufficient    information   con- 
cerning articles  required,  the  requisitions  should  be  returned  to 
the  posts  for  the  information  necessary  to  make  issue  possible. 
Much  of  the  delay  incident  to  the  issue  of  signal  equipment  and 
supplies  is  due  to  insufficient  data  given  on  requisitions. 

55.  Department  signal  officers  and  officers  in  charge  of  Signal 
Corps  general  supply  depots  will  submit  to  the  Chief  Signal 


GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    31 

Officer  of  the  Army  an  annual  estimate  of  expenses  to  be  paid 
from  signal-service  appropriations,  to  reach  the  office  of  the 

Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  not  later  than  May  20  of  each 
year,  and  should  cover  expenses  for  the  fiscal  year  beginning 
the  1st  of  July  following.  (See  par.  101.) 

The  officer  in  charge  at  Seattle  will  similarly  forward  this 
estimate  for  the  Washington-Alaska  Military  Cable  and  Tele- 
graph System. 

56.  Estimates  for  funds  required  will  be  submitted  by  depart- 
ment signal  officers  and  will  include  all  funds  required  by  dis- 
bursing officers  of  the   Signal  Corps  within  their  department, 
except  those  at  Signal  Corps  general  supply  depots  and  Signal 
Corps    aviation    schools,    who    will    submit   their    estimates   to 
the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  direct.    Disbursing  officers 
on  the  Washington-Alaska  Military  Cable  and  Telegraph  System 
will  forward  this  estimate  to  the  officer  in  charge  at  Seattle 
for  revision  and  consolidation  with  his  estimate.      (See  pars. 
108-113.) 

57.  .It  is  the  duty  of  the  department  signal  officer  to  see  that 
the  instructions  contained  in  paragraph  439  relative  to  cable 
and  cable  reels  are  fully  understood  and  that  the  information 
called   for    therein   is   promptly   supplied   to   the   office   of   the 
Chief   Signal   Officer.     Particular  attention   should  be  paid   to 
the  location  and  prompt  return  to  the  manufacturer  of  all  reels 
not  the  property  of  the  Signal  Corps. 

CIVILIAN  EMPLOYEES. 

GENERAL    PROVISIONS. 

58.  The  general  regulations  concerning  appointment,  promo- 
tion,   dismissal,    the   payment,    traveling   expenses,    etc.,    of   all 
civilian   employees   of  the   War   Department  are   set   forth  in 

Article  LYI,  Army  Regulations,  1913. 

59.  Temporary  employment  of  a  civilian  for  not  to  exceed  30 

days  to  fill  a  vacancy  in  an  existing  permanent  position  iu  the 
98483° — 15 3 


32  GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

service  outside  of  Washington  will  be  authorized  when  neces- 
sary by  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  upon  telegraphic 
application.  The  date  of  employment  and  the  date  of  dis- 
charge should  be  reported  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the 
Army  on  Form  26.  In  case  the  services  of  the  tempora  ry  em- 
ployee are  required  for  more  than  30  days,  special  authority 
must  be  obtained  from  the  Civil  Service  Commission,  and  appli- 
cation therefor  should  be  made  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of 
the  Army. 

60.  When  the  services  of  noneducational  employees,  such  as 
carpenters,  cable  splicers,  wiremen,  laborers,  etc.,  are  required, 
appointments  may  be  made  from  the  registers  of  the  local  civil- 
service  districts.    Application  for  eligibles  should  be  made  to  the 
secretary  of  the  district  in  which  they  are  to  be  employed. 

61.  Under  date  of  April  7,  1906,  the  Civil  Service  Commission 
granted    authority    to    make    temporary    job    appointments    of 
mechanics   and    skilled   tradesmen   or   laborers   who    are   em- 
ployed on  construction  and  repair  work  in  the  Signal  Service 
at  large.     Such  appointments  can  not  be  extended  beyond  a 
period  of  three  months  without  the  prior  approval  of  the  com- 
mission.    This  authority  applies  only   to   persons  engaged  in 
construction  or  repair  work  in  the  field  under  such  conditions 
that  it   would  be  practically  impossible  to  fill  the  vacancies 
through  certification  by  the  Civil  Service  Commission  or  local 
boards. 

62.  Monthly  reports  showing  all  employments,  discharges,  and 
other  changes  in  status  of  Signal  Corps  employees  will  be  pre- 
pared on  Form  26  and  mailed  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the 
Army  through  the  secretary  of  the  local  civil-service  district,  so 
as  to  reach  his  office  not  later  than  the  10th  of  the  month  fol- 
lowing the  period  covered.     When  an .  employee  in  the  service 
at  large  is  transferred  from  one  department  to  another,  the  date 
of  his  departure,  last  date  for  which  he  has  been  paid,  and  the 
amount  of  annual  and  sick  leave  taken  by  him  during  the  cur- 
rent calendar  year  will  be  promptly  reported  by  letter  to  the 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    33 

Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army.     The  date  of  arrival  at  new 
station  will  be  similarly  reported. 

63.  Copies  of  civil-service  rules  and  civil-service  regulations 
governing  the  employment  of  laborers  will  be  furnished  by  the 
Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  upon  request. 

64.  Under  no  condition  should  employment  be  made,  except 
under   the   authority    indicated    in    the   preceding    paragraphs, 
without  previously  communicating  with  the  Chief  Signal  Officer 
of  the  Army  and  obtaining  special  authority  therefor. 

65.  Signal  officers  under  whom  employees  of  the  Signal  Service 
at  large  are  serving,  will  submit  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of 
the  Army,  on  forms  to  be  furnished  by  the  Signal  Office,  War 
Department,  an  efficiency  report  in  duplicate  covering  each  em- 
ployee for  the  periods  ending  June  30  and  December  31  of  each 
year.     A  separate  report  will  be  made  and  forwarded  to  the 
Chief  Signal  Officer  covering  all  electrical  engineers,  assistant 
electrical  engineers,  or  electrical  assistants  for  the  periods  end- 
ing June  30  and  December  31  of  each  year. 

TRAVELING   EXPENSES. 

66.  The  attention  of  the  civilian  employees  of  the  Signal  Corps 
is  called   to   the   propriety   and   necessity   of   exercising   strict 
economy  in  expenses  incurred  on  journeys  under  orders.     Xu 
employee  should  impose  on  the  United  States  a  greater  expense 
than   he  would   incur  if  traveling  on  his  own  business.     Ex- 
traordinary  and   unusual   expenses  will  be  noted  against  the 
records   of   employees   unless   such    are   accompanied   by    evi- 
dence  of   imperative   necessity.      Usually   his   station   will    be 
changed  when  an  employee  is  to  be  on  duty  a  month  or  more 
at  any  one  point. 

67.  O)   Regulations  concerning  traveling  expenses  for  civilian 
employees  are  covered  by  paragraphs  732  to  739,  Army  Regu- 
lations, 1913. 


34  GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

Paragraph  733,  Army  Regulations,  1913,  reads  in  part  as 
follows : 

5.  Cost  of  meals,  including  tips,  not  to  exceed  $4.50  a  day  while  en 
route   when   meals   are   not   included   in   the   transportation   fare   paid, 
and   not   to   exceed   $4.50   a   day   for  meals,   tips,   and   lodgings   during 
necessary   delay  en  route,  and  when   meals  are  included  in  the  trans- 
portation fare  paid  tips  for  meals  not  to  exceed  15  cents  each. 

6.  Cost   of    meals   and    lodgings,    including   baths,   tips,    and   laundry 
work,  not  to  exceed  $4.50  a  day  for  the  first  30  days  while  on  duty  at 
places  designated  in  the  orders  for  the  performance  of  temporary  duty 
and  a  flat  per  diem  allowance  of  $1  a  day  after  the  first  30  days  of 
temporary   duty   at   any    one   place.      In   time   of  actual   war   no   such 
reimbursement   of  expenses  or  per  diem   allowance  will  be  allowed  to 
the  civilian  employees  specified  who  accompany  troops  in  the  field,  but 
in  lieu  thereof  the  allowance  of  tents  prescribed  by  the  War  Depart- 
ment and  a  ration  will  be  furnished  such  employees. 

7.  In    lieu    of    reimbursement    for    the    actual    expenses    provided    in 
sections  5  and  6,  civilian  employees,  when  their  orders  so  prescribe,  may 
be  allowed  a  flat  per  diem  allowance  not  exceeding  $4  when  traveling 
and  when  on  duty  for  the  first  30  days  at  places  designated  in  their 
orders  for  the  performance  of  temporary  duty,  but  no  per  diem'  allow- 
ance will  be  allowed  for  temporary  duty  to  civilian  employees  who  in 
time   of  actual  war   accompany   troops  in   the  field   nor   for   travel   on 
Army    transports.      Where   a   period   of   travel   or   temporary   duty   in- 
cludes fractional  parts  of  a  calendar  day  the  allowance  for  such  frac- 
tional   parts   will    be   for   only   one    day   when    the    total    thereof   does 
not  exceed  24  hburs.     The  provisions  of  paragraph  735,   in  so  far  as 
they    require    the    keeping    of   a    memorandum    of   the    actual    expenses 
incurred  and  taking  of  receipts,  have  no  application  to  civilians  operat- 
ing   under    conditions    which    entitle    them    to    a    per    diem    allowance, 
except    for    the    period    while    actually    traveling,    and    then    only    for 
such    items    of    expenses    as    are    not    embraced    within    the    per    diem 
allowance. 

(&)  When  an  electrical  engineer  or  an  electrical  assistant 
of  the  Signal  Corps  is  interrupted  by  competent  orders  in  the 
performance  of  his  temporary  duty  his  return  to  complete  the 
work  at  that  post  is  in  the  nature  of  a  second  assignment  or 
tour  of  duty,  and  he  is  entitled  to  an  allowance  of  30  days  for 
each  assignment  at  said  post. 

68.  While  the  allowance  of  $4.50  per  day  for  meals  and  lodg- 
ing does  not  specify  the  proportion  allowable  for  each,  and, 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    35 

similarly,  the  allowance  of  $4.50  for  meals  en  route  does  not 
limit  the  rate  to  be  paid  for  each  meal,  any  charge  which 
appears  to  be  unreasonable  or  exorbitant  under  the  circum- 
stances will  be  disallowed. 

69.  Expense  accounts. — The  attention  of  all  civilian  employees 
of  the  Signal  Corps  is  invited  to  the  following  important  rulings 
concerning  expense  accounts : 

(a)  It  is  held  that  under  no  circumstances  is  an  employee 
privileged  to  pay  a  rate  which  might  be  construed  to  be  higher 
than  the  rate  usually  paid  for  like  accommodations. 

(&)  It  is  held  that  expenses  incurred  under  such  circum- 
stances as  to  appear  to  be  of  advantage  to  persons  other  than 
the  employee  signing  them  are  irregular  and  contrary  to  the 
law. 

(c)  The  oath,  required  by  law  or  otherwise,  to  accounts  for 
travel  or  other  expenses  will  be  administered  without  charge 
by  officials  designated  in  act  of  Congress  approved  August  24, 
1912,  which  reads-  as  follows : 

SEC.  8.  After  June  30,  1912,  postmasters,  assistant  postmasters, 
collectors  of  customs,  collectors  of  internal  revenue,  chief  clerks  of 
the  various  executive  departments  and  bureaus,  or  clerks  designated 
by  them  for  the  purpose,  the  superintendent,  the  acting  superintendent, 
custodian,  and  principal  clerks  of  the  various  national  parks  and  other 
Government  reservations,  superintendent,  acting  superintendent,  and 
principal  clerks  of  the  different  Indian  superintendences  or  Indian 
agencies,  and  chiefs  of  field  parties  are  required,  empowered,  and  au- 
thorized, when  requested,  to  administer  oaths,  required  by  law  or  other- 
wise, to  accounts  for  travel  or  other  expenses  against  the  United 
States,  with  like  force  and  effect  as  officers  having  a  seal ;  for  such 
services  when  so  rendered,  or  when  rendered  on  demand  after  said 
date  by  notaries  public  who  at  the  time  are  also  salaried  officers  or 
employees  of  the  United  States,  no  charge  shall  be  made ;  and  on  and 
after  July  1,  1912,  no  fee  or  money  paid  for  the  services  herein  de- 
scribed shall  be  paid  or  reimbursed  by  the  United  States. 

70.  Accounts  covering  expenses  of  civilian  employees,  Signal 
Service  at  large,  will  be  rendered  at  the  end  of  each  month. 

71.  The  Quartermaster  General  has  ruled  that  Form  350,  ac- 
companying expense  accounts,  must  be  made  out  in  ink.     They 
will  not  be  accepted  if  filled  out  on  the  type-writer. 


36  GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

72.  When  ordered  to  temporary  duty  each  civilian  employee  is 
allowed  his  actual  expenses  to  an  amount  not  exceeding  $4.50 
per  diem,  except  when  the  orders  prescribe  a  flat  per  diem 
allowance  not  exceeding  $4. 

In  order  to  insure  prompt  reimbursement  of  actual  expenses 
not  exceeding  $4.50  per  diem,  the  following  points  must  be  noted : 

(a)  None  but  the  authorized  items  of  traveling  expenses  of 
civilians  will  be  allowed.  A  true  memorandum  of  the  actual 
expenses  paid  from  day  to  day  will  be  kept,  and  the  expenses 
will  be  fully  itemized  upon  the  voucher,  which  will  be  properly 
sworn  to  by  the  person  rendering  it.  (A.  R.,  735.) 

(6)  Receipts  for  lodging  (European  plan)  or  for  board  and 
lodging  (American  plan)  must  be  furnished,  when  practicable 
to  obtain  them,  showing  the  dates  for  which  the  charge  is  made 
and  the  first  and  last  meal  or  lodging.  Charge  for  lodging  per- 
tains to  the  day  in  which  the  night  for  which  the  lodging  was 
procured  began.  Receipts  will  not  be  required  for  meals,  except 
where  included  with  lodging  on  the  American  plan,  nor  for  rail- 
road or  steamboat  fares,  hack  fares,  baggage  transfers,  car  fare, 
tips  or  fees,  or  similar  expenses.  For  all  other  expenses  re- 
ceipts will  be  taken  unless  it  is  impracticable  to  obtain  them, 
when  the  reason  for  not  obtaining  receipts  must  be  explained 
on  the  voucher.  The  usual  Pullman  berth  check  or  seat  check 
will  be  a  sufficient  receipt  for  sleeping-car  or  parlor-car  accom- 
modations. (A.  R.  735.) 

(e)  The  account  must  be  BO  made  out  that  it  shows  clearly 
the  expenses  for  each  day,  since  the  allowance  is  literally  $4.50 
for  each  day,  and  any  amount  in  excess  for  any  one  day  will 
not  be  reimbursed,  even  though  the  total  expenses  for  the  trip 
do  not  average  $4.50  per  diem. 

(d)  The  account  for  expenses  must  be  made  on  blanks  and 
forms  as  shown  below,  with  all  certifications,  etc.,  appearing 
thereon. 


GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.   37 

The  expenses  are  reimbursed  by  the  Quartermaster's  Depart- 
ment, and  should  in  all  cases  be  requested  paid  through  the 
signal  officer  under  whom  they  are  incurred. 

(e)  Model  expense  account  (to  ~be  made  in  duplicate): 

(Copy  of  orders.) 

WAR  DEPARTMENT, 
OFFICE  OF  THE  CHIEF  SIGNAL  OFFICER, 

Washington,  D.  C,,  May  7,  1915. 
From  :  Office  of  the  Chief  Signal  Officer. 
To  :  Secretary  of  War. 
Subject :  Travel  orders. 

1.  It  is  recommended  that  orders  be  issued  directing  Asst.  Electrical 
Engineer  John   Doe.   on  duty  in   this  office,  to  proceed  from  Washing- 
ton, D.  C.,  to  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  for  temporary  duty,  in  connection  with 
the    inspection    of   certain    electrical    apparatus    being    constructed    for 
the  Signal   Corps,  and  upon  completion  of  this  duty  to  return   to  his 
proper  station  in  this  city. 

2.  Mr.  Doe  will  be  absent  about  two  days. 

(Signed)  GEORGE  P.  SCRIVEN, 

Brigadier  General,  C.  8.  0. 

[First  indorsement.] 

WAR  DEPARTMENT,  May  9,  1915. 
To  the  CHIEF  SIGNAL  OFFICER  : 
Approved. 
By  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War. 

(Signed)  JOHN  C.  SCHOFIELD, 

Assistant  and  Chief  Clerk, 


38  GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 


(VOUCHER  1.    SHEET  1.) 

[War  Department  Form  No.  350.    Approved  by  the  Comptroller  of  the  Treasury- 
April  29, 1914.1 

WAR  DEPARTMENT  Voucher  No 

Office  of  the  Chief  Signal  Officer.      General  Account . 
(Bureau  or  Office)  Detail  Account.. 

PUBLIC  VOUCHER. 

REIMBURSEMENT  OF  TRAVELING  EXPENSES 

Appropriation Symbol 

Appropriation Symbol 

Appropriation Symbol 

THE  UNITED  STATES 

To    John  Doe,  Asst.  Elec._Engr.,  Signal  Corps    }  Dr. 
A ddress" Office _of  the  Chief  Signal  Officer,  Washington,  D._C: 

FOR  REIMBURSEMENT  OF  TRAVELING,  EXPENSES  U.  S. 

incurred  in  the  discharge  of  official  duty  from  Notations. 

May  10 > ,  191.^  to  May  11  j  191^  underwritten 
authorization  from  the.S_ecretary_pf_War  ? 
dated. May _9_(  1916  ,  a  copy  of  which  is.attached 

as  per  itemized  schedule  within 

Amount  claimed,  $  5     25 

I  DO  SOLEMNLY. *sw_e_ar_  that  the  above  account  and  schedule      EXAMINED  BY 
within  are  correct  in  all  respects;  that  the  distances  as  charged 
have  been  actually  and  necessarily  traveled  by  me  on  the  dates 
therein  specified;  that  the  amounts  as  charged  have  been  actually 
paid  by  me  for  traveling  expenses:  that  no  part  of  the  account  has  been  paid  by  the 
United  States,  but  that  full  amount  is  due;  that  all  expenditures  included  in  said 
account  other  than  my  own  personal  traveling  expenses  were  made  under  urgent 
and  unforeseen  public  necessity;  and  that  it  was  not,  for  the  reasons  stated  herein, 
feasible  to  have  such  expenditures  paid  directly  by  a  disbursing  officer. 

Payee:  .  _  _l°H™  _P_o? i  _ . 

"(Do  not  sign  in  duplicate) 

Asst.  Elec.  Engr.  Signal  Corps. 

Subscribed  and  tsworn  to  before  me  at_Washington,  D._C.  f  this  l?th  day  0f.May, 

A    T)    !Ql5 

H.  S.  FLYNN, 

*S  wear  or  affirm.    fS  worn  to  or  affirmed . CMef_  Clerk, ,  0 .  ~C_._SL  ~0. 

I  CERTIFY  that  the  above  account  is  correct,  and  that  the  travel  was  performed,  and 
that  it  was  necessary  for  the  public  service. 

CHAR.LES  S.  WALLACE, 

Title:  Captain,  Signal  Corps. 

APPROVED  FOR  $ 

Date: 

Title: 

Paid  by  check  No ,  dated ,  191 . . ,  of 

on ' ,  in  favor  of  payee  named  above,  for  S 

OR 

Received of in  CASH,  the  sum  of 

(Date) 
dollars  and cents  in  full  payment  of  the  above  account. 

NOTE. — This  voucher  must  be  filled  out  in  ink. 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    39 


(VOUCHER.    SHEET  2.) 


Object 
symbol. 

Date, 
1915. 

Schedule  of  expenditures. 

Sub- 
voucher 
No. 

Amount. 

U.  S. 
notations. 

May   10 

One  meal  en  route  to 

None. 

$1.00 

May   10 

Philadelphia. 
Lodging,   Philadelphia, 

1 

1.50 

May   11 

Pa. 
Three  meals  (2  in  Phila- 

None. 

2.75 

delphia  and  1  en  route 
to  Washington). 

Total         

5.25 

• 

Total 

$5.25 

40  GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

COPY  OF  RECEIPT. 

SUBVOUCHEK  NO.  1. 

Mr.  John  Doe,  to  Bingham  House,  Dr.,  Bingham  Hotel  Co.,  proprietors. 

To  room  one  day . ___, $1.  50 

Received  payment. 

BINGHAM   HOTEL  Co., 
Per  W. 

NOTE. — It  is  not  necessary  that  receipts  should  be  typewritten. 

LETTER  OF  TRANSMITTAL. 

MAY  12,   1915. 

From  :  John  Doe,  Asst.  Elec.  Engr.,  Signal  Corps. 
To  :  The  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army. 
Subject :   Expense  account. 

1.  Inclosed  please  find  account  of  expense,   amounting  to   $5.25,   in- 
curred by  me  during  the  period  from  May  10,   1915,  to  May  11,   1915, 
inclusive,  while  on  duty  under  orders  from  the  Secretary  of  War. 

2.  It  is  requested  that  the  above  be  forwarded  for  settlement. 

(Signed)  JOHN  DOE, 

Asst.  Elec.  Engr.,  Signal  Corps. 
4  Inclosures. 

File [First  indorsement.-]. 

O.  C.  S.  O.,  May  12,  1915. 
To  SECRETARY  OF  WAR  : 

1.  Recommending  approval. 

(Signed)  GEORGE  P.  SCRIVEN, 

Brigadier  General,  C.  B.  O. 
4  Inclosures. 

73.  When  traveling  to  change  station  for  any  duty  which 
requires  the  use  of  tool  chests  or  instrument  cases  on  arrival 
and  there  is  not  sufficient  time  to  ship  by  freight,  application 
should  be  made  to  the  department  signal  officer  requesting  the 
authority  of  the  department  quartermaster  for  shipment  by  ex- 
press. If  the  travel  order  authorizes  such  shipment  by  express, 
no  application  is  necessary.  When  proper  authority  has  been 
obtained,  the  Quartermaster  Corps  will  ship  by  express  on  Gov- 
ernment bill  of  lading. 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    41 

ELECTRICAL  ENGINEERS    AND   ASSISTANTS. 

74.  Electrical    engineers,    assistant    electrical    engineers,    and 
electrical  assistants  will,  as  a  general  rule,  be  assigned  to  duties 
of  a  technical  nature  in  connection  with  the  design,  purchase, 
inspection,    and    installation    of    Signal    Corps    equipment    and 
supplies. 

75.  When  employed  on  installations,  the  following  instructions 
will  be  observed : 

(a)  All  permanent  civilian  employees  may  be  called  upon 
for  duty  in  technical  charge  of  installations,  and  when  so  acting 
will  be  designated  as  "  overseers." 

(&).A11  civilian  employees  of  the  Signal  Corps  on  installa- 
tions will  be  under  the  direct  control  of  the  overseer. 

(c)  In  case  an  engineer  of  higher  rank  than  the  overseer 
is  temporarily  assigned  to  an  installation  he  will  confer  with 
the  overseer,  but  will  not  interfere  with  the  direct  control 
of  the  latter  unless  written  instructions  are  issued  to  both  to 
that  effect. 

76.  (a)  When  a  civilian  employee  proceeds  to  a  military  post 
to  install  apparatus  under  a  scheme  approved  by  the  War  De- 
partment he  should  report  first  to  the  post  commander,  stating 
what  his  instructions  are.     The  commanding  officer  will  usually 
have  had  previous  notice  of  the  assistant's  coming  and  will 
make  provision  for  his  work. 

(6)  Throughout  the  installation  it  shall  be  the  aim  of  the 
employee  to  maintain  harmonious  relations  with  all  of  the 
other  departments,  and  he  should  request  prompt  official  atten- 
tion in  case  it  is  indicated  to  him  that  any  part  of  the  approved 
installation  does  not  meet  with  local  approval. 

77.  Whenever  a  signal  officer  is  charged  with  such  technical 
duties  as  require  for  a  definite  time  the  entire  services  of  an 
electrical    engineer   or   other   of   the   force   above   named,    the 
employee  will  be  assigned  to  duty  for  a   definite  period  with 
the  designated  officer.     When  these  employees  are  acting  under 
the  immediate  orders  of  a  signal  officer,  they  will  from  time 


42  GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

to  time  file  such  reports  with  that  officer  as  may  be  prescribed 
by  him. 

78.  Electrical  engineers,  assistant  electrical  engineers,  or  elec- 
trical assistants  in  charge  of  Signal  Corps  work  must  promptly 
notify  the  officer  to  whom  they  report  of  the  date  any  employee 
of  the  Signal  Service  at  large  reports  for  duty,  also  the  date 
of  departure  from  the  district  or  termination  of  the  services  of 
such  employee. 

79.  The  senior  engineer,  or  electrical  assistant  acting  as  such, 
will  cause  all  vouchers  for  services  to  be  turned  in  to  him  sev- 
eral, days  before  the  period  at  which  they  must  be  forwarded 
to  the  officer  in  charge  of  the  installation  for  certification.     On 
the  last  day  of  the  period  covered  by  the  vouchers  the  engineer 
in  charge  will  inclose  them  with  a  letter  naming  the  vouchers 
and  adding  that  he  has  examined  the  same  and  that  the  services 
have  been  rendered  as  stated. 

80.  Property  issued  on  regular  invoices  is  usually  preceded  by 
a  quartermaster's  notice  of  shipment,  which  requires  no  action, 
and  should  be  followed  in  a  reasonable  time  with  duplicate  in- 
voices signed  by  the  issuing  officer  and  duplicate  receipts,  which 
latter  should  be  signed  and  returned  to  the  officer  whose  name 
they  bear. 

When  property  is  transferred  to  authorized  parties,  similar 
invoices  should  be  used,  with  accompanying  receipts,  except  as 
provided  in  paragraph  367. 

81.  All  matters  pertaining  to  the  work  of  installation  or  to 
matters  of  policy  must  be  transacted  through  the  officer  to  whom 
the  assistant  reports. 

82.  Miscellaneous. — Each  electrical  engineer,  assistant  electri- 
cal engineer,  and  electrical  assistant  should  have  the  following 
tools  and  supplies,  for  which  he  is  personally  responsible : 

1  electrical  engineer's  tool  chest. 

1  empty  service  tool  bag. 

1  portable  voltmeter,  0-5,  0-150. 

1  volt  ammeter. 

1  copy  Kent's  Mechanical  Engineer's  Pocketbook. 

1  copy  Foster's  Electrical  Engineer's  Pocketbook. 

1  binder  for  specifications. 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    43 

1  copy  each  Signal  Corps  Manuals  Nos.  3,  7,  and  8. 
1  binder  for  engineering  circulars. 
1  binder  for  blue  prints. 
Typewriters  are  issued  when  needed. 

Chests,  packs,  leatheroid,  for  books  and  instruments  will  be  issued 
as  required. 

Electrical  instruments  for  cable  testing  are  kept  at  depart- 
ment headquarters  and  are  issued  on  memorandum  receipt  dnr- 
•ing  the  time  they  are  actually  in  use.  When  the  testing  is  com- 
pleted these  instruments  should  be  shipped  back  to  headquarters. 

83.  The  tools  listed  under  personal  equipment  are  intended  to 
be  kept  in  the  possession  of  the  engineer  during  his  service  in 
the  Signal  Corps,  and  all  special  or  construction  tools  needed 
on  work  with  which  he  is  connected,  as  well  as  all  tools  used 
by  enlisted  men  or  temporary  employees,  will  be  furnished  by 
the  Signal  Corps  storekeeper  as  required. 

84.  When  acting  in  the  capacity  of  overseer  the  assistant  will 
be  expected  to  check  the  condition  of  all  storehouses  and  tool 
chests,  both  as  to  care  taken  with  the  equipment  and  as  to  the 
need  for  renewal. 

85.  Civilian  employees  of  the  Army  are  authorized  to  purchase 
certain  articles  of  clothing  and  fuel  from  the  Quartermaster 
Corps  (A.  R.  1055)  and  subsistence  supplies  (A.  R.  1245)  under 
a  certain  condition  set  forth  in  these  paragraphs. 

86.  Civilian  employees  at  military  posts  are  entitled  to  medical 
attendance  under  such  regulations  as  the  Surgeon  General  may 
establish.     (See  A.  R.  1457-1461.) 

87.  When  it  is  absolutely  necessary  that  a  telegram  be  sent,  a 
blank  form  (Quartermaster's  Department  Form  406)   should  be 
procured  through  the  post  adjutant,   the  telegram   signed   by 
the  assistant,  countersigned  by  an  Army  officer,  and  then  pre- 
sented to  any  telegraph  office  for  transmission.     Care  should 
be  taken  to  make  telegrams  clear  and  brief.     The  name  of  the 
telegraph  company  must  be  entered  on  the  blank.     The  blanks 
are  always  to  be  had  at  Army  posts. 

88.  In  case  orders  are  received  from  any  officers  at  military 
posts  which  are  apparently  improper  or  in  conflict  with  the  em- 
ployee's orders  or  instructions,  the  proper  procedure  is  to  obey 


44  GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

promptly,  reporting  the  matter  immediately  to  the  department 
signal  officer  under  whom  he  is  serving,  such  report  to  be  by 
telegraph  only  in  extraordinary  cases,  It  is  enjoined  that  all 
employees  use  great  care  to  avoid  friction  in  their  relations 
with  officers. 

89.  Electrical  engineers  and  other  technical  employees  of  the 
Signal  Corps  while  serving  on  transports  or  other  Government 
vessels  are  entitled  to  subsistence  in  the  same  manner  as  em- 
ployees of  the  Quartermaster  Corps  serving  thereon. 

90.  Personal  reports. —  (a)   Each  electrical  engineer,  assistant 
electrical  engineer,  and  electrical  assistant  shall  send  to  the 
Chief    Signal    Officer   of    the   Army,    through    the    department 
signal  officer,  at  the  end  of  each  month  a  personal  report  on 
Form  210. 

(&)  Each  overseer  of  construction  shall  report  weekly  to 
the  department  signal  officer  under  whose  direction  the  work 
is  being  done. 

(c)  The  following  enumerated  Signal  Corps  forms  are  fur- 
nished on  requisition   (Form  57)   in  connection  with  the  work 
of  civilian  employees  engaged  on  installations : 

No.  26.  Report  of  changes,  civilian  employees. 

No.  63.  Requisition  for  fire-control  maintenance  material. 

No.  64.  Requisition  for  Signal  Corps  supplies. 

No.  66.   Single-sheet  property  return. 

No.  67.  Invoice  or  receipt  combined. 

No.  204.  Signal  Corps  inspector's  memoranda  (for  use  in  connec- 
tion with  inspection  of  Signal  Corps  equipment  at 
coast-defense  posts). 

No.  207.  Report  of  inspection  of  Signal  Corps  radiotelegraph 
stations. 

No.  209.   Semiannual  report  of  telephone  equipment. 

No.  210.  Report  of  civilian  employees. 

No.  211.  Report  of  inspection  of  Signal  Corps  equipment. 

No.  243.  Cable  card. 

No.  260.  Monthly  storage-battery  report. 

No.  261.  Cable  record. 

No.  264.  Report  of  progress  of  installation. 

(d)  War  Department  standard  Form  No.  350  is  necessary  in 
rendering  expense  accounts.    This  form  maybe  obtained  through 
the  officer  in  charge  of  the  installation. 


ARTICLE  II. 
ORGANIZATION  FOR  FIELD  SERVICE. 

91.         Signal  Corps  equipment  for  a  field  company. 


Wire 
sections. 

Radio 
sections. 

Company 
head- 
quarters. 

Total. 

Axes       .        .          

4 

4 

Axes  hand 

1 

1 

6 

Axes,  hand,  handles  

2 

2 

Ax  helves  (extra)..    .  .                   .      

4 

4 

Axles  ,  for  wire  carts  

2 

2 

Batteries,  dry,  service  buzzer,  Tungsten 
type"A".   .    .                         

14 

16 

72 

Boards,  letter...                   

3 

3 

Books,  field  message  

15 

5 

130 

200 

Buckets,  water,  canvas  

2 

6 

14 

Buzzers,  service,  complete  *  

7 

8 

36 

Cans,  oil,  steel,  pint  

21 

1 

5 

Candles  ,  lantern  

18 

6 

316 

400 

Carriers  buzzer  wire  . 

6 

8 

32 

Carrier  covers...                   .        

6 

8 

32 

Cartridges  ,  Very,  green  

10 

10 

Cartridges,  Very,  white. 

10 

10 

Cartridges,  Very,  red  .  ... 

10 

10 

Cases,  map  

1 

1 

2 

8 

Charges,  carbide  

40 

40 

Chests,  packing. 

6 

6 

Chests,  tool,  mechanics,  No.  1  

1 

1 

Chests,  tool,  mechanics,  No.  2  

1 

1 

Chisel  cold,  6-inch  . 

2  1 

1 

5 

Clamps,  splicing    .                              .     . 

1 

1 

Climbers  and  straps  ....          

1 

4 

Compasses,  pocket.  .           

1 

1 

2 

8 

Connector  studs,  7-point  (extra)   .  . 

5 

20 

40 

Connector  studs,  19-point  (extra)  .  .  . 

2 

10 

18 

Cords,  main,  complete  (extra)  

4 

4 

20 

Cord  feet  No  6  sash 

200 

200 

Crank  reel  cart 

21 

1 

5 

Disks  ,  cipher  

3 

2 

4 

20 

Envelopes  message                 

100 

100 

400 

1,000 

Flashlights,  electric.  .     .         

6 

6 

Glasses,  field,  type  "  D  "  

2 

1 

2 

12 

Glasses  field,  type  "C"  

2 

2 

Grips  with  pulleys  Buffalo 

1 

1 

Hammer,  carpenter's  .  . 

2  1 

1 

5 

45 


46  GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

91.  Signal  Corps  equipment  -for  a  field  company — Continued. 


Wire 
sections. 

Radio 
sections. 

Company 
head- 
quarters. 

Total. 

Heliographs  

4 

4 

Jacks,  wagon  

1 

1 

Kits,  inspector's  

1 

1 

2 

0 

Kits,  flag,  combination  

2 

2 

10 

Kits,  flag,  4-foot  

1 

pl 

4 

10 

Knives,  brush  cutting  (Mountain  Artillery 
type)  

3 

2 

4 

20 

Knives  ,  electrician's  

14 

10 

3  44 

120 

Lanterns,  candle  

6 

2 

4 

32 

Lanterns,  field,  acetvlene:  

4 

4 

Map  measurers,  watch  stvle  

4 

4 

Matches,  wind,  boxes  

6 

2 

20 

48 

Nails,  assorted,  pounds  

25 

25 

Pads,  hand,  leather  

2  2 

g 

Paulins  

2  1 

4 

Pencils  

12 

6 

144 

204 

Pikes,  wire  

4 

12 

28 

Pistols,  Very  

2 

2 

Pliers,  5-inch  

14 

10 

M4 

120 

Pliers,  8-inch  

2  1 

1 

2 

8 

Radio  chests,  pack  

1 

1 

'     3 

Radio  generators,  hand  

1 

1 

3 

Radio  masts  (40-foot),  type  "F"  

1 

1 

3 

Radio  pack  frames  (sets)  

1 

2 

Radio  tents,  shelter  

1 

2 

Relays,  pocket  

1 

1 

Rockets,  sequence      

fi 

6 

Rockets,  yellow  smoke  

6 

6 

Rods,  ground  (extra),  "D"  

4 

4 

20 

Screw  drivers,  8-inch  

2  1 

1 

5 

Spectacles,  smoked  

12 

12 

Tape  insulating,  adhesive,  pounds  .... 

3 

1 

20 

34 

Typewriters  

2 

2 

Voltmeters,  6-  volt  

2 

2 

Wagons,  kit  (Q.  M.  escort)  

1 

1 

Wagons,  Signal  Corps  instrument  (Q.  M. 
escort)4                              

2 

2 

Watches,  wrist  

4 

2 

4 

24 

Wheels  spare,  for  wire  carts 

2 

2 

Wire  buzzer,  on  carriers,  miles.  . 

14 

2 

8 

Wire  field,  miles  

5 

10 

30 

W  ire  carts,  type  "L"  

1 

4 

Wrenches  alligator 

2  1 

1 

5 

Wrenches  monkey,  8-inch..                     •  .  . 

2  1 

1 

5 

Wrenches,  S,  sets  

2  1 

1 

5 

1  One  ground  rod  furnished  with  each  buzzer. 

2  Supplied  with  each  wire  cart;  also  one  wheel  furnished  with   each  cart    when 
delivered  to  militia. 

3  Twenty  for  enlisted  men  not  attached  to  sections. 

4  Spring  wagon  (ambulance)  instead  of  escort  wagon  issued  militia,  when  desired. 


GENERAL  PROPERTY    AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.  47 

SPARE  PARTS  TO  BE  CARRIED  BY  FIELD  COMPANIES. 
HAND  GENERATOR,    MODEL    1912,   OPEN-GEAR    TYPE. 

Number. 

Bearing,   phosphor   bronze,    fur   supporting   main    driving  gear    and 

cranks 1 

Brushes,  with  springs,  for  alternating-current  side,  sets  of  two 7 

Brushes,  without  springs,  for  direct-current  exciter,  sets  of  two  ."> 

Canvas    cover 1 

Caps,  dust,  pressed  steel  for  alternating-current  end 1 

Clutch,  underspeed,  complete  set  of  parts  for,  including  screws I 

Cranks,   set   of   two 1 

Cups,  grease,  complete  with  wicks,  for  armature  shaft  pinion 2 

Cups,  grease,  complete  with  wicks,  main  bearing  (armature  shaft)  _  2 

Flywheel,  complete,  including  overspeed   clutch  segments 1 

Gears,  intermediate,  phosphor  bronze  with  steel  pinions 2 

Gear,   main   driving 1 

Pinions,  steel,  with  bronze  bushings,  for  generator  shaft 2 

Tins,  cotter,  T3ff  inch  by  1J  inches 2 

Rings,  brass,  for  overspeed  and  underspeed  clutch 

Screws   for   overspeed-clutch    springs o 

Springs,  radial,  for  overspeed  clutch 

HAND    GENERATOR,     MODEL    1913,    INCLOSED-GEAR    TYPE. 

Brushes,  with  springs,  for  alternating-current  side,  sets  of  two_.  7 

Brushes,  without  springs,  for  direct-current  exciter,  sets  of  two 5 

Canvas    cover 1 

Caps,  brass,   for  speedometer  opening 2 

Connectors,    complete 2 

Cranks 1 

Flywheel,  complete,  with  key  for  armat'ure  shaft 1 

Speedometer 1 

HAND     GENERATOR,     MODEL     1914,     INCLOSED     GEAR   'TYPE. 

Armature,   complete- _                                                                          1 

Brushes,  with  springs,  for  alternating-current  or  direct-current  side 

of  generator,  sets  of  four__  G 

Canvas  cover 1 

Caps  for  brush  holders 6 

Caps,  brass,  for  speedometer  opening 2 

Connectors,  complete 2 

Cranks 1 

98483°— 15 4 


48  GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

Number. 

Flywheel,  complete,  with  key  for  armature  shaft 1. 

Speedometer 1 

NOTE. — In  making  requisitions  for  any  of  the  above  parts  the  type  of 
generator  should  be  given,  otherwise  it  will  be  impracticable  to  supply 
the  part  wanted.  Spare  parts  for  repair  of  the  inclosed  gear  of  the 
1913  and  1914  type  of  generators  will  not  be  supplied,  and  these  gen- 
erators should  be  sent  to  Signal  Corps  Laboratory,  Washington,  D.  C., 
for  repair  when  necessary. 

PACK    SETS. 

Number. 

Caps,  hard-rubber,  for  receiver  (Sullivan  or  Holtzer-Cabot) 2 

Condenser,  high  tension 1 

Connectors,  Manhattan,  No.  6540 5 

Cords,   receiver 2 

Cords,  sash,  for  repair  of  antenna,  feet ± 500 

Detectors,    type   A 2 

Diaphragms,  receiver    (Sullivan   or  Holtzer-Cabot) 7 

Key,  sending 1 

Keys,  sending  contacts  for 4 

Receiver,   complete,  double  head ,  1 

Renewals,  crystal,  for  detector,  Signal  Corps  or  Perikon  type 1 

Transformer   (Model  1912  or  1913-14) 1 

Washers,  mica,  for  quenched  gap 10 

» 

ANTENNA   AND   COUNTERPOISE. 

Cords,  sash,  for  repair  of  antenna,  feet ._'! 500 

Cord,   antenna,   feet 100 

Insulator,  bottom  section  (Electrose  No.  2) 2 

Insulators,  hard  rubber,  for  antenna 10 

Insulators,  tent . 1 

Insulators,  umbrella,  complete  with  tube  and  brass  plate 1 

Masts,  top  and  bottom  sections  (type  D  or  F),  one  each 2 

Pins,  galvanized  iron 3 

Reels,  hand,  for  antenna  and  counterpoise 6 

Tubes,  coupling  (type  D  or  F  masts) 2 

Wire,  counterpoise,  feet . 100 

SERVICE    BUZZER. 

Buttons,  hard-rubber,   for  keys 1 

Caps  and  springs  (transmitter  buttons) 2 

Caps,   fiber,    for   plugs   of   service   buzzer    (and    field-artillery    tele- 
phones)   2 


GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.  49 

Number. 

Caps,  receiver,  service  buzzer 4 

Caps,    transmitter 4 

Coils,    complete    with    back    irons    and    bracket,     without     contact 

screw  mountings  and  vibrator 1 

Condensers & 

Cords,  No.   341,  main,  with  Williams  test  clamps  for  service  buz- 
zers,   model   1012 6 

Cords,   No.  342,  transmitter  and  receiver,  for  model   1912    service 

buzzer 8 

Covers,  for  wiring 

Diaphragms,  receiver,  2T3g-  inches  diameter 7 

Diaphragms,  transmitter,  2fs  inches  diameter 7 

Doors,  battery,  complete,  with  hinges,  contacts,  and  covers 2 

Headband   for   receiver 9 

Key,  lever,    complete 

Nuts,  hexagon,  for  base  wiring,   / 24 

Plates,    base 

Plugs,  for  1912  service  buzzers 8 

Plugs,  sets  of  all  rubber  parts  for 5 

Plug  seat,  jack 5 

Plug,  spring  jack 

Posts,     binding 6 

Receivers,   with  cords 

Rods,  ground,  type  D 4 

Rods,   steel,   for  plugs,   for  service  buzzers  and  field-artillery  tele- 
phones, new  type 

Screws,    adjusting 10 

Screws,   contact,   for   vibrator 7 

Screws,   for   sleeves    (dozen) 1 

Screws,  fulcrum,  for  key 12 

Screws,  machine,  FHB,   &,  |  inch 72 

Screws,  machine,  RHB,   ^,  |  inch 72 

Screws,  platinum  contact,  under  key,  auxiliary 5 

Screws,  platinum  contact,  for  key  handle 8 

Screws,  platinum  contact,  under  key,  main 8 

Screws,  platinum  contact,  with  bridge 7 

Sleeves,    plug,    fiber 1 

Spring  and  piece  for  condenser   (with  screws) 4 

Springs  and  supports,  battery  contact,  left__ 

Springs  and  supports,  battery  contact,  right 

Spring,  catch  for  door 

Spring,   contact  for   door . 4 

Spring  for  key 12 


50  GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 


Number. 

Straps,  carrying,  complete , , , 2 

Strips,  metal,  condenser  retaining,  with  screws 2 

Strips,  metal,  with  screws,  for  holding  headband  to  receiver 24 


Switches,  condenser,  complete 

Switch    lever,    complete,    receiver 

Transmitters,   with   cords 

Vibrator   (buzzer  spring),  with   platinum  contact. 

Vibrators,   complete,    11    pieces 

Washers,   mica,   for   transmitters 

Wrench,  socket,  complete,  and  screw  drivers 


2 
3 
4 
9 
3 
1 
8 


92.    Signal  Corps  equipment  for  a  telegraph  company. 


Stele- 
graph 
sections. 

Stele- 
phone 
sections. 

1  com- 
pany. 

Total. 

Arresters,  Mason,  fused 

4 

10 

42 

Axes        .  .                                 

2 

1 

9 

Axes,  hand.  

2 

6 

Ax  helves  .         

6 

6 

Ax  helves,  hand  

10 

10 

Bars,  digging  and  tamping                      .   ... 

9 

2 

12 

Batteries,  dry,  No.  6     

10 

10 

60 

Batteries,  Tungsten,  type  A  

12 

25 

111 

Belts,  lineman's  

8 

6 

42 

Bicycles 

1 

3 

Blanks: 
Message  received 

3,000 

3,000 

Message  sent  

3,000 

3,000 

Blotters,  small                             

50 

50 

Books,  field  message              

6 

48 

66 

Brackets: 
Iron  for  lance  poles                 

300 

400 

1,300 

Oak                          

300 

200 

600 

2,100 

Cans  gasoline  1-gallon                                .   . 

1 

3 

Candles,  lantern  

IS 

6 

200 

272 

Charges  carbide 

50 

50 

Cases,  map                 

1 

1 

6 

Chests  tool  post                           

1 

1 

Chisels  cold                               

1 

i 

6 

Clamps  splicing 

8 

2 

30 

Clocks  alarm 

3 

9 

Climbers  and  straps                           

8 

2 

30 

Coal  oil,  gallons              .          .  .  :  

10 

10 

Coils  repeatin."     •                                       -   . 

2 

6 

Compasses  pocket                             

1 

1 

6 

Cord  Samson  f-inch   foot 

200 

600 

Disks,  cipher     

6 

6 

Envelopes: 
Message                   

1,000 

1,000 

Penalty                                         

100 

100 

Erasers,  rubber.  . 

6 

6 

GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.   51 

92.  Signal  Corps  equipment  for  a  telegraph  company — Continued. 


3  tele- 
graph 
sections. 

3  tele- 
phone 
sections. 

1  com- 
pany. 

Total. 

Fuses  arrester                                        

50 

100 

450 

Gasoline  gallons            .  .               

1 

10 

13 

Glasses  field  type  D 

1 

1 

6 

Grips  Buffalo,  and  pulley 

9 

1 

9 

Hammers  carpenter's                    

1 

3 

Handles,  hatchet     

12 

12 

Hatchets                                                       .   . 

8 

6 

42 

Heliographs  complete                

4 

4 

Ink,  writing,  fluid,  pints  .         

2 

2 

Insulators: 
Clamp                             ...          

150 

100 

750 

Pigtail                         

250 

200 

1,350 

Porcelain  

300 

600 

1,500 

Kits: 
Flag  combination 

2 

2 

12 

Flag,  4-foot  

3 

6 

15 

Inspector's  pocket                         

2 

4 

18 

Knives: 

Brush-cutting 

2 

4 

18 

Electrician's             .                          .  

14 

9 

69 

Lanterns: 
Acetylene  

4 

4 

Candle  

3 

4 

4 

25 

Coal  oil  

3 

2 

2 

17 

Matches,  wind,  boxes       

G 

6 

36 

72 

Mortars  

2 

2 

Mucilage,  bottles,  quarts         

2 

2 

Nails: 
Twenty-penny,  pounds  

30 

10 

30 

15C 

Ten-penny,  pounds  .   .         

20 

10 

20 

11C 

Nail  puller  

1 

] 

Paper: 
Carbon  sheets  

24 

2< 

Legal  cap,  reams  

i 

j 

Letter,  typewriter,  heavy,  reams  

Letter,  typewriter,  ligiu%  reams  

1 

] 

Pencils: 
Copying.. 

12 

36 

75 

T  -"a     &  
Lead  

6 

24 

4i 

Penholders  

6 

( 

Pens,  gross  

i 

; 

Picks,  7-pound,  with  handle  

3 

i 

Pins,  cones  

6 

< 

Pliers,  8-inch     

8 

6 

4; 

Plow  

1 

i 

Poles,  lance                                             • 

300 

300 

1,801 

Reels,  barrow 

1 

2 

i 

Relays,  pocket.                   .          .... 

2 

1 

i 

Ribbons,  typewriter  

4 

Rods,  ground,  5  feet  by  f  inch 

3 

Rods,  ground,  2-foot,  type  E  

3 

4 

2 

Saws,  crosscut,  carpenter's.  28-inch.  . 

1 

1 

I 

1 


3 
6 

12 
3 

30 
9 
9 
4 
9 

21 
6 


52  GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

92.  Signal  Corps  equipment  for  a  telegraph  company — Continued. 


3  tele- 
graph 
sections. 

3  tele- 
phone 
sections. 

1  com. 
pany. 

Total. 

Screws,  No.  10,  H-inch,  gross  

2 

6 

Screw  drivers.  10-inch  .  . 

2 

4 

18 

Shells: 
Red  

6 

6 

Smoke  .  . 

6 

6 

White....                                        

6 

6 

Shovels: 
Long-handled  

2 

6 

Short-handled,  round 

2 

6 

Solder,  wire,  rosin,  pounds                    .   .  . 

2 

6 

Soldering  kits  

1 

3 

Sounders,  main  line 

3 

9 

Switchboards: 
Telegraph,  2-line            .                  ... 

3 

9 

Telegraph,  8-line  .  .        

1 

i 

Telephone,  40-line,  camp 

1 

3 

Tape,  insulating: 
Adhesive,  pounds  .                    

1 

3 

15 

27 

Rubber  .  .'  *  .           

3 

10 

19 

Telegraph  sets,  induction 

3 

9 

Telephones,  camp 

20 

60 

Telescopes  and  holders  

2 

2 

Torches,  gasoline,  small  

3 

y 

Watches  

1 

1 

3 

9 

Typewriters 

2 

2 

Voltmeters,  6-volt  

1 

1 

4 

Wagons: 
Repair  (present  spring  instrument  type) 

2 

2 

Telegraph  (field  wagon  tvpe)  !  . 

1 

3 

Telephone  (field  wagon  tvpe)  l          

2 

6 

Lance,  truck            

1 

1 

6 

Wire: 
Copper,  insulated,  64  mils  diameter,  feet. 

500 

1,500 

Galvanized  iron  81  mils  diameter,  miles 

15 

15 

60 

Twisteu-pair,  45  mils  diameter,  Monnot 
copper  clad  miles 

20 

60 

i  Wagons  used  under  the  items  "Wagons,  telegraph,  (field-wagon  type)"  and 
"Wagons,  telephone  (field-wagon  type) "  are  the  standard  Army  escort  wagons,  and 
when  desired  by  the  Organized  Militia  should  be  drawn  as  quartermaster  property. 


ARTICLE   III. 
DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

BLANK  FORMS. 

93.  Disbursing  officers  of  the  Signal  Corps  and  others  who 
may   make   purchases   or   engage   services   on   account   of   the 
Signal  Corps  are  enjoined  to  inform  themselves  of  the  Army 
Regulations,  as  amended  by  general  orders,  concerning  purchase 
of  supplies  and  engagement  of  services,  advertisement  for  pro- 
posals, awards,  forms  of  agreement,  contracts,  etc. 

94.  Disbursing  officers  should  provide  themselves  with  the  fol- 
lowing enumerated  forms: 

SIGNAL    CORPS    FORMS. 

Form  No. 

1.  Estimate  of  funds  required. 

2.  Advertisement  for  proposals. 
5.  Abstract  of  proposals. 

8.  Abstract  of  articles  purchased  for  immediate  expenditure. 

9.  Abstract  of  articles  purchased  and  paid  for. 

13.  Contract  (articles  of  agreement). 

19.   Letter  of  transmittal  and  receipt  for  check. 
27.  Shipper's  receipt. 

29.  Disbursing  officer's  property  invoice. 
57.  Annual  estimate  for  blank  forms. 

WAR  DEPARTMENT  STANDARD  FORMS. 

14.  Report  of  open-market  purchases  and  the  procurement  of  services 

not  personal  exceeding  $100  in  amount  (size,  14  by  8  inches). 

30.  Special  deposit  account  current. 

31.  Schedule  of  receipts  and  deposits. 


54  GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

Form  No. 

32.  Schedule  of  disbursements. 

33.  Schedule  of  refundments  and  transfers. 

320.  Account  current  (large  size). 
320&.  Account  current    (small  size). 

321.  Abstract  of  funds  received  by  transfer  from  officers. 

322.  Abstract    of    funds    received    from    authorized    sales    of    public 

property. 

323.  Abstract  of  funds  received  from  sales  of  services. 

324.  Abstract  of  funds  received  from  sources  other  than  sales  of  public 

property  or  services. 

325.  Account  of  sales  of  public  property  at  public  auction  or  on  sealed 

proposals. 

326.  Invoice  of  funds   transferred. 

327.  Cash  receipts  for  funds  transferred. 

328.  Abstract  of  transfers  of  funds. 
329a.  Abstract  of  disbursements    (medium). 
329&.  Abstract  of  disbursements   (small). 

330a.  Public  voucher  —  purchases  and  services  other  than  personal  (size, 

8  by  14  inches). 

332.   Public    voucher  —  emergency    purchases    and    nonpersonal    services 
not  exceeding  $100. 

334.  Public  voucher-  —  pay   roll. 

335.  Public  voucher  —  personal  services. 

341a.  Job-printing  voucher   (size,   14  by  18£   inches). 
365.  Cash  receipt. 

OFFICIAL  BONDS. 

The  prescribed  forms  of  official  bonds  for  all  purposes  may 
be  obtained  from  the  Quartermaster  Corps,  as  follows: 


DESIGNATION   OF   BLANK. 

Form  No. 

100  —  A  ____  Official  bond,  for  disbursing  omcers  when  sureties  are  indi- 

viduals   (for  either  "appointed"   or  "detailed"   officers). 
100  —  AA__.Official  bond,  for  disbursing  omcers  (appointed  during  recess 

of  United  States  Senate)  when  sureties  are  individuals. 
100  —  B  ____  Official   bond,    for   disbursing,  officers   when   surety   is   a   cor- 

poration  (for  either  "appointed"  or  "detailed"  officers). 
100  —  BB__Official  bond,  for  disbursing  officers   (appointed  during  recess 

of  United  States  Senate)  when  surety  is  a  corporation. 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    55 

Qm.  Gorps. 
Form  No. 

100 — C Contractors'  bond  (supplies,  etc.),  when  principal  is  an  indi- 
vidual or  a  partnership  and  sureties  are  individuals. 

100 — D Contractors'  bond  (supplies,  etc.),  when  principal  is  an  indi- 
vidual or  a  partnership  and  surety  is  a  corporation. 

100 — E Contractors'  bond  (supplies,  etc.),  when  principal  is  a  cor- 
poration and  sureties  are  individuals. 

100 — F Contractors'  bond  (supplies,  etc.),  when  both  principal  and 

surety  are  corporations. 

100 — G Contractors'  bond  (public  works),  when  principal  is  an  indi- 
vidual or  a.  partnership  and  sureties  are  individuals. 

100 — H Contractors'  bond  (public  works),  when  principal  is  an  indi- 
vidual or  a  partnership  and  surety  is  a  corporation. 

100 — I Contractors'  bond  (public  works),  when  principal  is  a  cor- 
poration and  sureties  are  individuals. 

100 — J Contractors'  bond  (public  works),  when  both  principal  and 

surety  are  corporations. 

100 — K Contractors'  bond  (public  works,  supplies,  etc.),  when  two 

or  more  corporations  are  sureties. 

Requisitions  for  Signal  Corps  forms  should  be  made  annually 
on  April  1,  on  Form  No.  57,  and  forwarded  direct  to  the  property 
officer,  Signal  Corps  General  Supply  Depot,  Fort  Wood,  N.  Y. 

The  War  Department  standard  forms  and  the  prescribed  forms 
of  official  bonds  will  be  furnished  purchasing  officers  upon 
application  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army.  (See  pars. 
338  and  339.) 

APPROPRIATIONS. 

95.  The  fiscal  year  ends  on  June  30.     The  quarters  of  the 
fiscal  year  are  as  follows :  First  quarter,  July  1  to  September 
30;   second,   October  1  to   December  31;    third,   January   1   to 
March  31;  fourth,  April  1  to  June  30.     (A.  R.,  620.) 

96.  Chiefs  of  bureaus,  in  notifying  officers  of  remittances,  will 
inform  them  of  the  amount  remitted  under  each  head  of  appro- 
priation giving  the  designation  by  fiscal  years  when  necessary. 
(A.  R.  621.) 

97.  Limited  appropriations  are  those  qualified  or  modified  by 
the  addition  or  designation  of  a  stated  fiscal  year  to  their  titles 


56  GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

and  thereby  restricted  or  limited  to  the  period  indicated ;  "  no 
limit "  appropriations  are  those  not  confined  within  such  period, 
e.  g.,  "  Signal  Service  of  the  Army,  1908,"  being  restricted  to  the 
year  1908,  is  a  limited  appropriation,  whereas  "  Fire  control 
at  fortifications,"  not  being  so  restricted,  is  a  "  no  limit "  appro- 
priation and  remains  available  indefinitely. 

SAVINGS   UNDER   AUTHORITIES   OR   ORDERS. 

98.  All  authorities  expire  upon  June  30.  of  the  fiscal  year  in 
which  issued,  and  no  expenses  should  be  contracted  thereafter 
under  these  authorities.  If  the  purpose  of  an  authority  will  not 
be  accomplished  upon  June  30,  the  amount  required  for  com- 
pletion should  be  included  in  estimate  of  expenses  for  the  fol- 
lowing fiscal  year.  Every  disbursing  officer  of  the  Signal  Corps, 
with  the  exception  of  the  disbursing  officer  stationed  in  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.,  shall  render  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the 
Army  in  time  to  insure  receipt  on  or  before  June  20  a  report, 
by  mail  or  telegraph,  under  the  head  of  each  appropriation,  of 
the  total  savings  under  all  authorities  and  purchase  orders.  As 
it  is  frequently  the  case  that  the  amount  of  funds  transferred 
does1  not  agree  with  the  amounts  stated  in  authorities,  the  funds 
which  are  on  hand  do  not  in  any  way  affect  this  report  and 
will  not  be  considered  in  connection  therewith.  The  amount  to 
be  reported  should  be  ascertained  by  deducting  all  obligations 
and  expenditures  from  the  face  value  of  the  authorities.  On 
June  30  final  report  in  the  following  form  will  be  prepared  and 
forwarded : 


Authority 
or  order 
number. 

Appropriation. 

• 

Authorized. 

Obligated. 

Saved. 

GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    57 

Whenever  funds  are  allotted  for  a  specific  purpose  by  serial 
authority  or  purchase  order,  the  officer  to  whom  the  authority 
or  order  is  issued  will  make  a  special  report  to  the  Chief  Signal 
Officer  of  the  Army  when  all  outstanding  obligations  have  been 
paid  of  the  amount  remaining  unobligated,  in  order  that  the 
unexpended  balance  may  be  made  available  for  other  purposes. 

UNEXPENDED    BALANCES. 

99.  As  soon  as  all  obligations  are  paid  and  not  later  than  Sep- 
tember  30   all   unexpended   balances   of   appropriations   which 
lapse  on  June  30  will  be  deposited  in  a  subtreasnry  or  deposi- 
tary to  the  credit  of  the  appropriation.     In  the  case  of  the  ap- 
propriations- which  do  not  expire  at  the  end  of  the  fiscal  year, 
deposit  need  not  be  made  when  new  authority  has  been  received 
covering   expenditures   under    such   appropriations   during    the 
following  fiscal  year. 

100.  Unexpended  balances  of  limited  appropriations  are  cov- 
ered into  the  Treasury  of  the  United  States  three  months  after 
the  close  of  the  fiscal  year  in  which  they  expire  by  limitation. 
After   September  30  outstanding  accounts   chargeable  to   such 
appropriations  should  be  forwarded  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer 
of  the  Army  for  transmission  to  the  Treasury  Department  for 
settlement. 

ANNUAL    ESTIMATES. 

101.  Department  signal  officers  and  all  others  charged  with 
the  expenditure  of  funds  pertaining  to   Signal   Service  appro- 
priations will  submit  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  an 
annual  estimate  of  expenses  to  be  paid  from  Signal  Corps  ap- 
propriations.    This  estimate   should   be   mailed   sufficiently  in 
advance  to  insure  its  receipt  in  the  office  of  the  Chief  Signal 
Officer  of  the  Army  not  later  than  May  20,  and  should  cover  ex- 
penses for  the  fiscal  year  beginning  the  1st  of  July  following. 


58  GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

This  estimate  will  be  submitted  in  triplicate  in  the  following 
form,  separate  sheets  for  each  appropriation : 


APPROPRIATION. 


Purpose. 

Current  year. 

Next  year. 

Authority 
number. 

Allotted. 

Required. 

Allotted. 

No  entries  should  be  made  in  the  ''Allotted"  column  for 
"Next  year." 

Explanation  of  increases,  decreases,  new  items,  etc.,  will  be 
made  in  separate  communication  accompanying  the  estimate. 


AUTHORITIES. 

102.  At  the  beginning  of  the  fiscal  year  the  Chief  Signal  Officer 
of  the  Army  will  issue  serially   numbered   authorities    (Form 
No.    30)    covering   fixed   expenditures   to   be   made   during   the 
fiscal  year.    All  authorities  expire  on  June  30  of  the  fiscal  year 
in  which  issued. 

103.  No  expense  will  be  incurred  or  paid  from  Signal  Corps 
appropriations  unless  the  officer  incurring  the  expense  has  in 
his  possession  a  serially  numbered  authority  or  purchase  order 
issued  from  the  office  of  the  Chief  Signal  Office  of  the  Army 
or  has  notice  that  such  an  authority  or  order  has  been  issued. 
The  issuance  of  such  authority  does  not  contemplate  the  set- 
ting aside  of  any  particular  funds  for  expenditure  under  any 
specific  authority.     Any  funds  of  an  appropriation  that  a  dis- 
bursing officer   may   have   to  his  credit   are  available   for   ex- 
penditure under  any  authority  issued  to  him  irhich  pertain*  to 
the  same  appropriation.     (See  par.  123.) 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    59 

104.  In  cases  of  emergency  officers  may  advise  the  Chief  Sig- 
nal Officer  of  the  Army,  by  telegraph,  of  the  nature  and  amount 
of  the  expense  considered  requisite  and  necessary  to  be  author- 
ized, and  if  approved  they  will  be  so  notified.     Such  notification 
will   be   immediately   thereafter   confirmed  by  a    serially   num- 
bered authority  or  purchase  order  authorizing  the  expenditure. 
The  account  should  not  be  paid  until  the  receipt  of  this  author- 
ity or  order.     Vouchers  should  quote  the  authority  or  purchase 
order  by  number. 

105.  Disbursing  officers  should  keep  an  accurate  record  of  pay- 
ments on  the  reverse  side  of  the  authority  issued  to  them. 

106.  Department  signal  officers  issuing  authority  to  subordi- 
nate   disbursing   officers    under    serially    numbered    authorities 
issued  by  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  should  furnish 
them  with  the  number  of  the  authority  in  order  that  they  may 
make  the  proper  reference  on  their  vouchers. 

107.  Officers  not  disbursing  funds  when  authorized  to  make 
expenditures   will    be    furnished   with    a    purchase   order    and 
should  follow  the   directions  set  forth  therein.     A  certificate 
on  the  face  of  the  bills   should  state  that  the  articles  have 
been  received,   inspected,   and  accepted   or   the   services   satis- 
factorily performed. 

FUNDS. 

108.  Funds  are  obtained  on  quarterly  estimates,  Form  No.  1, 
based   on   serially  numbered   authorities,   which   should  be  re- 
ceived before  estimates  for  funds  are  submitted.     (See  par.  56.) 

109.  Funds  required  for  purposes  for  which  no  authorization 
has  been  issued  will  be  made  the  subject  of  a  separate  com- 
munication. 

110.  There  should  be  included  in  estimates  for  funds  all  au- 
thorities   under    which    it    is    expected    to    make    expenditures 
during  the  quarter. 

111.  Under  the  heading  "  Deduct  available  balances,"   Form 
Xo.  1,  should  be  shown  all  funds  on  hand  in  excess  of  obliga- 
tions at  the  beginning  of  the  quarter  covered  by  the  estimate. 


60  GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

112.  Estimates  for  funds  should  be  forwarded  to  reach  the 
office  of  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  not  later  than  the 
25th  of  March,  June,  September,  and  December  in  each  year. 

113.  The  department  signal  officer,   Philippines  Department, 
will  submit  estimates  semiannually. 

114.  Public  funds  w^ill,  as  a  rule,  be  transferred  as  follows: 
The  officer  making  the  transfer  will  draw  his  check  directing 
the  depositary  to  place  a  stated  amount  to  the  official  credit  of 
the  officer  named  in  the  check.     The  check  will  be  sent  to  the 
depositary,  and  not  to  the  officer  in  whose  favor  it  is  drawn. 
If  it  is  necessary  that  the  officer  to  whom  funds  are  transferred 
shall  receive  them  without  delay,  the  transferring  officer  may 
draw  his  check  and  transmit  it  directly  to  the  payee.    In  either 
case  an  invoice  will  be  sent  to   the  receiving  officer,   but  no 
receipt  will  be  given  by  him  except  for  cash  transfers.     (A.  R., 
597.) 

115.  The  above-mentioned  invoice  will  be  forwarded  by  the 
receiving  officer  attached  to  his  account  current.     Receipts  for 
actual  currency  should  be  forwarded  with  the  account  current 
of  the  transferring  officer,  but  if  not  received  in  time  notation 
of  this  fact  should  be  made  and  receipts  forwarded  as  soon  as 
received.    When  the  transfer  is  made  by  check,  notation  of  the 
number  and  date  of  the  check  and  the  depositary  on  which 
drawn  should  be  made  on  the  account  current. 

116.  The  Treasurer  of  the  United  States  and  each  designated 
depositary   will   render  monthly   statements  to   officers  having 
public  funds  on  deposit  to  their  official  credit. 

117.  Depositaries  will  also  render  statements  to  officers  having 
public  funds  on  deposit  to  their  official  credit  upon  request  of 
said  officers  to  enable  them  to  close  their  accounts,  and  to  in- 
specting and  administrative  officers   upon  their   request   when 
engaged  in  the  duly  authorized  inspection  of  accounts. 

118.  These  statements  will  show  a  full  and  true  account,  in- 
cluding the  date,  number,  and  amount  of  each  check  paid,  and 
the  date  and  amount  of  each  item  placed  to  the  officer's  official 
credit  during  the  period  of  such  statement.    The  said  statement 
should  be  rendered  to  officers  in  time  for  them  to  use  the  in- 


GENEEAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.   61 

formation  contained  therein  in  analyzing  their  balances  in  the 
manner  provided  by  the  aivounl  current,  War  Department 
Form  320. 

119.  When    a    disbursing    officer    of    the   Army    receives    any 
moneys  of  the  United  States  as  the  proceeds  of  sales,  as  mis- 
cellaneous receipts,  or  funds  of  like  character,  not  available  for 
disbursement,  he  will  deposit,  without  delay,  such  funds  to  his 
official  credit  with  an  authorized  depositary.     At  the  close  of 
the  mouth  iu  which  such  funds  are  received,  the  total  will  be 
made  the  subject  of  one  check  issued  by  him  in  favor  of  the 
depositary,  and  marked  "  For  deposit  to  the  credit  of  the  Treas- 
urer of  the  United  States."     (A.  R.  615.) 

The  disbursing  officer  will  indorse  on  the  back  of  the  check 
issued  for  this  purpose  the  title  of  the  appropriations  and  the 
amount  that  pertains  to  each  into  which  the  several  sums  em- 
braced in  the  deposit  should  be  covered  into  the  Treasury. 

120.  The  number,  date,  name,  location  of  the  depositary,  and 
the  amount  of  the  certificate  of  deposit  will  be  noted  on  the 
account  current  upon  which  the  depositor  desires  to  be  credited 
with  the  money  deposited. 

121.  When  funds  are  deposited  the  depositor,  in  addition  to 
furnishing  his  name,  rank,  regiment,  or  corps,  and  the  title  of 
the  appropriation,  as  required  by  Army  Regulations,  611,  will 
state  briefly  the  source  from  which  the  money  was  derived,  as, 
"  Sale  of  carboys,"  "  Refund  lost  field  glass,"  "  Unexpended  bal- 
ance," etc.,  and  will  see  that  proper  notation  is  made  on  both 
original  and  duplicate  copy  of  certificate  of  deposit.    The  chief 
:of  the  bureau  concerned  should  also  be  furnished  with  the  in- 
formation required  by  Army  Regulations,  612. 

» 

122.  Public  moneys  subject  to  disbursement  coming  into  the 
!  hands  of  an  officer  from  any  source  will  be  promptly  placed  by 
him  to  his  credit  with  the  Treasurer  or  with  an  assistant  treas- 
urer of  the  United  States,  or  with  a  duly  designated  depositary, 
or  else  transferred  to  a  disbursing  officer  of  that  branch  of  the 
public   service  to  which   the   money   pertains,   except  in   cases 
where  officers  have  been  specially  authorized  by  the  Secretary 
of  War  to  keep  in  hand,  at  their  own  risk,  such  moneys  as  may 


62  GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

be  intrusted  to  them  for  disbursement.  Moneys  in  hand  may 
be  disbursed  at  once  without  being  placed  in  depositaries,  if 
payments  are  due. 

123.  Disbursing  officers  are  not  authorized  to  anticipate  the 
receipts  of  funds  on  outstanding  requisitions  by  making  pay- 
ments from  other  funds  in  hand  pertaining  to  a  different  appro- 
priation.    Funds  of  one  appropriation  are  not  available  to  pay 
obligations  of  another  unless  so  provided  by  law. 

124.  Deposits  to  the  credit  of  the  Treasurer  of  the  United 
States  on  account  of  repayment  of  disbursing  funds  must  be 
made  with  the  office  or  bank  in  which  such  funds  are  to  the 
credit  of   the  disbursing   officer.      Disbursing   officers   are   not 
authorized  to  transfer  funds  standing  to  their  credit  with  one 
depositary  to  their  credit  with  another  depositary ;  such  trans- 
fers will  be  made  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  upon  the 
request  of  the  head  of  the  department  under  whom  the  officers 
are  serving. 

125.  No  allowance  will  be  made  to  any  disbursing  officer  for 
expenses  charged  for  collecting  money  on  checks. 

126.  Whenever  any  disbursing  officer  shall  cease  to  act  in  that 
capacity  he  will  at  once  inform  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury 
whether  he  has  any  public  funds  to  his  credit  in  any  office  or 
bank ;  and  if  so,  what  checks,  if  any,  he  has  drawn  against  the 
same  which  are  still  outstanding  and  unpaid.    Until  satisfactory 
information  of  this  character   shall  have  been  furnished,   the 
whole  amount  of  such  moneys  will  be  held  to  meet  the  payment 
of  his  checks  properly  payable  therefrom. 

127.  In  case  of  the  death,  resignation,  or  removal  from  active 
service  of  any  disbursing  officer,  checks  previously  drawn  by 
him  will  be  paid  from  the  funds  to  his  credit,  unless  such  checks 
have  been  drawn  for  more  than  four  months  before  their  pre- 
sentation  or   reasons  exist   for   suspecting  fraud.     Any   check 
previously  drawn  by  him  and  not  presented  for  payment  within 
four  months  of  its  date  will  not  be  paid  until  its  correctness 
shall  have  been  attested  by  the  Comptroller  of  the  Treasury  or 
his  chief  clerk. 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND   DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    63 

128.  For  every  deposit  made  by  a  disbursing  officer  to  his 
official  credit  a   receipt    shall   be  given  setting  forth  its  serial 
number  and  the  place  and  date  of  issue.  ' 

129.  Any  disbursing  officer  of  the  Signal  Corps  who  closes  his 
money   accountability   for   any   reason   should   arrange   for   in- 
spection of  his  accounts  as  prescribed  in  Army  regulation  902. 

PURCHASES    AND  PAYMENTS. 

130.  Purchases  are  made  by  any  of  the  following  methods : 
Contracts;    proposals  received  in  response   to   advertisements; 
written  proposals  and  written  acceptance;  in  the  open  market. 

CONTRACTS. 

131.  Under  the  provisions  of  Army  regulation  550,  and  in  con- 
formity  with   a    decision  of  the   Comptroller  of   the  Treasury 
July  28,  1914   (W.  D.  Bui.  No.  43,  1914),  purchasing  officers  of 
the  Signal  Corps  will  make  formal  written  contracts  (see  par. 
139)  in  all  cases  where  the  consideration  is  in  excess  of  $500, 
except  where  delivery  or  performance  immediately  follows  an 
award  or  bargain.    The  provisions  of  Army  regulations  555-565 
will  govern  the  preparation  and  disposition  of  all  contracts. 

132.  As  funds  allotted  to  department  signal  officers  for  ex- 
penditures pertaining  to   the  department  are  disbursed   under 
the  direction  of  the  department  commanders,  contracts  involv- 
ing such  expenditures  are  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  depart- 
ment commander.     (A.  R.  557.) 

133.  Purchasing  officers  of  the  several  staff  corps  and  depart- 
ments- wTho  are  under  the  direct  supervision  of  the  chiefs  of 
their  respective  bureaus  are  authorized  to  make  contracts  for 
the  purchase  of  supplies  and  for  the  engagement  of  services, 
other  than  personal,  without  the  approval  of  the 'chief  of  the 
bureau,  except  in  such  specific  cases  as  may  be  designated  by 
the  chief  of  the  bureau  to  be  made  subject  to  his  approval, 
when  such  purchase  of  supplies  or  engagement  of  services  is 
properly  authorized.     (A.  R.  558.) 

9848?,°— 15 5 


64  GENEKAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

134.  All  contracts  will  be  executed  in  triplicate.     One  number 
is  for  the  Auditor  for  the  War  Department,  one  for  the  head  of 
the  bureau  to  which  the  contract  pertains,  and  one  for  the  con- 
tractor.     Two   copies   will   be   made,   one   for   the   contracting 
officer  and  the  other  for  the  Returns  Office  of  the  Department 
of  the  Interior.     (A.  R.  561.) 

135.  The  three  numbers  of  the  contract  will  be  forwarded  to 
the  head  of  the  proper  bureau   for  examination  and  for   ap- 
proval, if  such  approval  is  required   (A.  R.  502),  after  which 
one  copy  will  be  returned  to  the  contracting  officer  for  delivery 
to  the  contractor,  one   (an  original)   will  be  forwarded  by  the 
Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  direct  to  the  Auditor  for  the 
War  Department,  and  one  will  be  retained  in  the  office  of  the 
Chief  Signal  Officer. 

136.  The  copy  of  the  contract  for  the  returns  office  of  the 
Department  of  the  Interior  will  be  transmitted  directly  thereto 
by  the  officer  who  signs  the  contract,  as  soon  as  possible  after 
the  contract  has  been  made  and  approved  and  within  30  days 
after  approval.     For  information  as  to  method  of  preparation 
of  the  contract  for  the  Returns  Office,  see  Army  Regulation  563. 

137.  («)   To   the   contract  for   the  contractor   should  be  at- 
tached  a    copy    of    the   purchase    order    and    a    copy    of   each 
specification  and  drawing  covered  thereby. 

(6)  To  the  contract  (the  original)  for  the  Auditor  for  the 
War  Department  should  be  attached  a  copy  of  the  advertise- 
ment; copy  of  bond,  if  any  (see  par.  141)  ;  and  in  case  of  a 
contract  with  a  corporation,  evidence  of  the  authority  of  the 
signer  to  bind  the  company,  or  a  waiver  thereof,  as  contem- 
plated by  Army  Regulation  560.  ( See  A.  R.  564. ) 

(c)  To  the  contract  for  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army 
should  be  attached  a  duplicate  of  the  bond,  if  any;  a  copy  of 
the   purchase   order;   copy   of  each   specification   and  drawing 
covered   thereby ;    an  abstract   of  all  proposals   received ;    and 
evidence  of  the  authority  of  the  signer  to  bind  the  company  in 
case  of  a  corporation,  or  a  waiver  thereof. 

(d)  To   the  contract   for   the   Returns   Office   should   be   at- 
tached all  papers  covered  by  Army  Regulation  563,  all  of  which 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    65 

will  be  fastened  together  with  a  ribbon  and  seal  and  numbered 
in  regular  form  in  the  manner  indicated  in  the  following  circu- 
lar issued  by  the  Department  of  the  Interior.  This  copy,  with 
jurat  thereon  fully  accomplished,  will  be  transmitted,  direct  by 
the  officer  who  signs  the  contract  as  soon  as  possible  after  tin' 
contract  has  been  made  and  within  30  days  after  approval. 
(See  A.  K.  5<io  for  additional  information.) 

DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  INTERIOR. 
INSTRUCTIONS  FOR  THE  FILING  OF  CONTRACTS   IN  THE  RETURNS  OFFICE. 

In  order  that  the  returns  of  contracts  filed  in  the  Returns  Office  may 
be  prepared  in  a  uniform  manner,  the  following  instructions  should  be 
strictly  observed  : 

1.  Returns  should  be  arranged  and  consecutively  numbered  in  the  fol- 
lowing order  : 

(1)  Oath  of  disinterestedness  of  the  contracting  officer  (unless 

printed  on  the  contract  form). 

(2)  Copy  of  contract. 

(3)  Copy    of    advertisement    (specifications    and    drawings    at- 

tached). 

(4)  Original  accepted  proposal. 

(5)  Original  rejected  proposal. 

(6)  Original  rejected  proposal,   etc. 

2.  All   the   papers   relating  to   each  contract   should   be   securely    fas- 
tened together  by  ribbon  and   seal  in  such  a   manner  that   each   paper 
may  be  easily  examined. 

3.  When  a  proposal  is  the  basis  of  two  or  more  contracts  : 

(a)    All    original    rejected    bids    should    be    attached    to    one 

contract. 
(6)    Each  original  accepted  proposal  should  be  attached  to  the 

contract  to  which  it  relates. 

(c)  Notation  should  be  made  on  each  affidavit,  excepting   (a), 

that  "  The  rejected  proposals  are  attached   to  the  con- 
tract made  with ,   dated , 

for " 

(d)  A  duplication  of  blue  prints,  plans,  and  specifications  may 

be  prevented  by  a  method  similar  to  paragraphs  3,  3a, 
31),  and  3c. 

4.  Letters  of  transmittal  are  used  for  checking  purposes  only,  and  a 
single  letter  should  be  used  for  transmitting  any  number  of  contracts. 


66  GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

5.  The  receipt  of  returns  of  contracts  will   not  be  acknowledged  by 
the  returns  clerk,  unless  specifically  requested  to  do  so  in  the  letter  of 
transmittal,  stating  the  necessity  therefor. 

6.  Miscellaneous  : 

(a)  Contract  should  be  correctly  dated. 

( b )  Contract  should  be  signed  b/  the  contractor. 

(f)  Contract  should  be  signed  by  the  contracting  officer. 

(d)  Jurat  should  be  correctly  dated. 

(e)  The    designation   of    the   authority    of   the   authenticating 

officer   to   administer  oaths   should   be  added  after   the 
signature  to  the  jurat. 

(/)  The  Returns  Office  has  a  flat  filing  system  having  a  maxi- 
mum capacity  of  14  by  8J  inches,  and  blue  prints,  etc., 
should  be  transmitted  smoothly  folded  to  this  dimen- 
sion in  such  a  manner  that  the  first  three  papers  may 
be  examined  for  indexing  purposes  without  the  necessity 
of  unfolding. 

(g)  The   upper    right-hand    corner   of   the   first    paper   in    the 

return  should  be  reserved   for  file-numbering  purposes. 
The   ribbon   seal,   office   stamps,    etc.,    should   be   placed 
elsewhere. 
NOVEMBER  16,  1910. 

(/)  To  the  contract  for  the  contracting  officer  should  be  at- 
tached a  copy  of  the  advertisement,  a  copy  of  the  successful 
bidder's  proposal,  copy  of  the  purchase  order,  and  a  copy  of 
each  specification  and  drawing  covered  thereby. 

138.  Contracts  once  executed  will  be  strictly  construed,  and 
no  variation  from  standards  or  specifications  will  be  permitted 
or  authorized.  If  it  be  demonstrated  that  contract  require- 
ments are  unreasonable,  or  that  the  prescribed  tests  are  not 
practical,  or  that  for  any  reason  the  stipulation  can  not  be 
rigidly  applied  or  enforced,  such  contract  must  not  be  modified, 
but  may  be  annulled,  with  the  approval  of  the  Secretary  of  War, 
if  for  the  best  interests  of  the  Government,  and  after  again  in- 
viting competition  from  bidders  who  are  fully  informed  of  the 
changed  requirements,  a  new  award  and  contract  can  be  entered 
into.  To  sanction  variation  or  to  relax  stringency  in  any  par- 
ticular of  an  existing  contract  is  irregular  and  is  likely  to  give 
the  contractor  an  advantage  which  would  be  unfair  to  com- 
petitors whose  proposals  were  based  on  the  expectation  of  being 
held  to  the  strictest  observance  of  the  published  requirements. 
(G.  O.  167,  W.  D.,  1005.) 


GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.   67 

139.  Contracts  covering  the  procurement  of  supplies  or  the 
employment  of  services  connected  therewith  should  be  prepared 
on  Signal  Corps  Form  No.  13. 

Contracts  covering  the  rental  of  telephones  and  commercial 
telephone  service  should  be  prepared  on  Signal  Corps  Forms 
No.  2S3a  or  2S3b,  as  the  case  may  be. 

Contracts  covering  construction  work  should  be  prepared  on 
forms  supplied  for  this  purpose  by  the  Quartermaster  Corps. 
These  forms  contain  clauses  relative  to  the  employment  of  labor, 
etc.,  and  may  be  modified  to  conform  to  local  conditions. 

The  rental  of  all  buildings  and  grounds  should  in  every  case 
be  covered  by  a  lease,  which  should  be  prepared  and  disposed  of 
in  the  manner  provided  for  contracts.  Quartermaster  Corps 
Form  72-A,  modified  to  conform  to  local  conditions,  may  be  used 
for  this  purpose. 

140.  A  disbursing  officer  who  charges  in  his  accounts  payment 
for  rent  of  rooms  unsupported  by  evidence  of  a  contract  fixing 
the  rent  to  be  paid  is  not  entitled  to  credit  therefor.      (Dec. 
Comp.  Treas.,  Apr.  17,  1899.) 

BONDS. 

141.  (a)   Bonds  for  the  faithful  performance  of  contracts  for 
supplies  or  services,  prepared  on  forms  enumerated  in  paragraph 
94,  will  be  required  when  the  consideration  is  $5,000  or  more, 
and  the  contract  can  not  be  fully  performed  within  60  days  from 
its  date.     (A.  R.,  569-581.) 

(6)  The  penal  sum  in  a  contractor's  bond  will  be  fixed  by 
the  contracting  officer  and  will  usually  be  from  10  to  20  per 
cent  of  the  total  consideration,  although  the  total  considera- 
tion may  be  made  the  total  amount  of  the  bond. 

(c)  Bond  will  never  be  taken  in  less  than  10  per  cent  of  the 
contract  price,  and  in  case  of  construction  work  must  be  50 
per  cent. 

142.  Careful  investigation  will  be  made  of  the  financial  status 
of  individual  bondsmen  offering  themselves  as  sureties  on  con- 
tractor's bonds,  and  no  bonds  of  individuals  will  be  accepted 


68  GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

until  it  is  conclusively  shown  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  con- 
tracting officer  that  such  bonds  afford  ample  security  to  the 
United  States  for  the  fulfillment  of  the  contract  in  question, 
in  accordance  with  Army  Regulation  578. 

143,   STAMP  TAX  ON  BONDS  OR  OTHER  OBLIGATIONS  UNDER  ACT  OF 

OCTOBER   22,    1914. 

[1914.      Department  Circular  No.   38.     Section  of  surety  bonds.-]. 

TREASURY  DEPARTMENT, 
OFFICE  OF  THE  SECRETARY, 
Washington,  December  9,  19H. 

To  bond-approving  officers  of  the  Government  and  others  concerned: 

Your  attention  is  invited  to  the  provisions  of  the  act  of  Congress 
approved  October  22,  1914,  entitled  "An  act  to  increase  the  internal 
revenue,  and  for  other  purposes,''  and  particularly  to  the  paragraphs 
thereof  providing  for  a  stamp  tax  of  one-half  of  1  cent  on  each  dollar 
or  fractional  part  thereof  on  the  amount  of  premium  charged  on  bonds 
or  obligations  known  as  fidelity  and  surety  bonds,  where  such  obliga- 
tions are  executed  by  any  person,  association,  company,  or  corporation 
transacting  the  business  of  fidelity  and  surety  insurance,  and  providing 
also  for  a  stamp  tax  of  50  cents  on  each  obligation  executed  by  any 
person,  corporation,  or  other  entity,  as  surety,  not  engaged  in  the 
transaction  of  a  fidelity  and  surety  insurance  business.  Attention  is 
also  invited  to  Treasury  Decisions  2062,  of  November  20,  1914,  inter- 
preting the  above  provisions. 

To  enable  the  bond-approving  officers  of  the  Government  to  verify, 
and  the  Treasury  Department  to  certify  to,  the  correctness  of  the 
amount  of  stamps  thus  affixed  to  each  obligation,  all  blank  forms  of 
bond,  when  prepared  for  execution,  shall  provide  proper  blank  spaces 
wherein  the  parties  executing  the  obligation  shall  state  the  rate  and 
amount  of  premium  paid  thereon.  In  all  cases  the  value  of  the  stamps 
affixed  must  bear  the  proper  ratio  to  the  amount  of  premium  paid. 
When  provision  for  such  information  is  not  made  by  the  printed  blank, 
a  rubber  stamp  or  other  convenient  method  may  be  used.  The  follow- 
ing form  should  be  used  : 

"  The  rate  of  premium  on  this  bond  is  $ per  thousand  ; 

the  total  amount  of  premium  charged  is  $ " 

Every  such  bond  or  obligation  which  is  not  an  original  instrument 
and  therefore  not  taxable  shall  be  plainly  stamped  "  Duplicate "  on 
the  face  thereof. 

The  officials  of  this  department  accepting  and  approving  bonds  with 
individual  or  corporate  sureties  are  charged  with  the  responsibility  of 
determining  whether  the  proper  amount  of  stamps  is  affixed  to  all 
Government  bonds  before  accepting  and  approving  the  same. 

W.  G.  McAooo,  Secretary. 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.   69 

PROPOSALS. 

144.  Advertisements  for  proposals  will  he  issued  in  accord- 
ance with  Army  Regulations  522-548. 

145.  When  articles  or  services  are  procured  under  proposals 
and  the  actual  requirements  of  the  United  States  can  not  be 
determined   in   advance,    the   right   should   be   reserved   to   the 
Government  of  placing  orders  at  the  prices  at  which  awards 
may  be  made  for  additional  supplies,   provided  that  the  addi- 
tional orders  shall  not  exceed  twice  the  quantity  advertised  for. 

146.  Advertisements  for  supplies  should  contain  the  instruc- 
tion to  bidders  who  are  not  manufacturers  of  the  goods  called 
for  to  submit  the  name  of  the  manufacturer  from  whom  such 
goods  are  to  be  obtained,  unless  it  is  manifestly  impracticable 
to  furnish  this  information. 

147.  Lack  of  commercial  standing  on  the  part  of  the  bidder  or 
inadequate  facilities  or  plant  on  the  part  of  the  manufacturer 
will  constitute  good  and  sufficient  grounds  for  the  rejection  of 
the  bids.    Abnormally  low  bids  should  be  subjected  to  the  strict- 
est scrutiny  and  comparison  with  prevailing  market  rates. 

148.  All  proposals  received  from  contractors  who  have  failed 
unjustifiably  to  fill  former  contracts  with  the  Government  shall 
be  rejected. 

OPEN-MARKET  PURCHASES. 

149.  Open-market  purchases  of  supplies  or  procurements  of 
services  not  personal,  within  the  meaning  of  Army  Regulation 
551,   constitute  those   made   without   advertising   and  are  au- 
thorized : 

First.  When  a  public  exigency  or  emergency  requires  the  im- 
mediate delivery  of  supplies  or  procurement  of  services  and 
there  is  not  sufficient  time  to  advertise  for  proposals  respecting 
the  same. 

Second.  Where  it  is  impracticable  to  secure  competition,  as 
when  purchase  is  made  of  a  patented  article  the  selling  price 
of  which  is  fixed  or  of  a  supply  where  the  selling  price  is  fixed 
by  law  or  a  municipal  ordinance,  etc. 


70  GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

Third.  When  advertisement  has  been  resorted  to  and  no  pro- 
posal received. 

Fourth.  When  advertisement  has  been  resorted  to  and  the 
proposals  received  are  above  the  prevailing  market  price  or 
otherwise  unreasonable. 

Fifth.  When  the  aggregate  of  the  amount  of  supplies  or  serv- 
ices to  be  procured  is  less  than  $500,  as  authorized  by  the  act 
of  June  12,  1906. 

In  the  first  four  cases  the  law  places  no  limit  in  regard  to  the 
amount  of  the  supplies  or  services  to  be  procured;  in  the  last 
case  the  limit  has  been  fixed  at  $500. 

150.  Supplies  or  services  will  not  be  procured  in  open  market 
under  the  act  of  June  12,  1906,  whenever  in  the  judgment  of  the 
purchasing  officer  it  will  be  advantageous  to  the  Government  to 
resort  to  advertising  for  proposals. 

151.  Open-market  purchases  will  not  be  made  under  this  act 
in  small  amounts  from  time  to  time  when  a  reasonable  degree 
of  foresight  would  indicate  that  larger  quantities  can  be  pro- 
cured  to   advantage  by   resorting   to   advertisements   for   pro- 
posals.   This  applies  particularly  to  procurements  made  amount- 
ing to  less  than  $500,  when  larger  quantities,  exceeding  $500, 
can  be  procured  to  advantage  by  resorting  to  advertisement  for 
proposals  as  required  by  law. 

152.  Officers  making  open-market  purchases  must  not  neglect 
to  solicit  competition  wrhenever  possible. 

153.  Every  open-market  procurement  of  supplies  or  services, 
not  personal,   exceeding  $100  in  amount,   will  be  reported  on 
War  Department   standard   Form   No.   14,  in  accordance  with 
instructions  thereon  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army, 
who  will  submit  such  reports'  to  the  Secretary  of  War. 

154.  A  procurement  will  be  considered  as  covering  a  given 
quantity  of  supplies  of  the  same  kind  procured  on  the  same 
day;    separate   purchases    of    hardware,    therefore,    from    two 
dealers  on  the  same  day,  each  amounting  to  $50  or  over,  are 
required  to  be  covered  by  one  report  on  this  blank.     A  pro- 
curement will  also  be  considered  as  covering  a  given  quantity 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    71 

of  supplies  of  any  kind  on  the  same  day  from  the  same  dealer. 
It  is  forbidden  to  make  purchases  arising  from  the  same  need 
of  the  same  kind  of  supplies  from  day  to  day  so  that  the  aggre- 
gate in  each  case  will  be  less  than  $100. 

155.  The  date  of  procurement  of  supplies  or  services  will  be 
considered  as  the  date  when  all  the  supplies  ordered  have  been 
delivered   and  accepted  or  the   services  have  been  completely 
rendered. 

156.  In  making  the  report  on  Form  No.  14  records  will  be 
made  in  each  column  as  indicated  by  the  headings  thereof. 

157.  In  the  column  for  description  of  supplies  or  services  the 
description  will  not  be  itemized,  but  the  character  of  the  sup- 
plies or  services  will  be  fully  described.     Itemizing  of  the  vari- 
ous   quantities    will    be    made    on    the    voucher    covering    the 
payment. 

158.  In  the  column  for  the  total  amount  of  supplies  or  services 
furnished  the  total  amount  for  each  procurement  reported  will 
be  stated. 

159.  In  the  column  for  stating  the  reasons  for  making  open- 
market  procurements  the  circumstances  which  gave  rise  to  the 
mode  of  purchase  adopted  will  be  fully   stated  for  each  pro- 
curement reported,  viz : 

(a)  In  the  case  of  a  procurement  made  as  a  result  of  a  pub- 
lic exigency  or  emergency,  the  circumstances  necessitating  the 
immediate  procurement  of  the  supplies  or  services  will  be 
stated,  and  the  fact  made  clear  that  the  delay  incident  to  ad- 
vertising would  have  been  prejudicial  to  the  public  interests. 

(&)  In  the  case  of  a  procurement  where  it  was  impracticable 
to  secure  competition,  the  reasons  showing  that  it  was  imprac- 
ticable will  be  fully  stated,  as:  "Competition  impracticable 
because  the  seller  has  the  sole  selling  agency  and  the  price  paid 
was  the  one  fixed  when  the  purchase  was  made,"  or  "  Compe- 
tition was  impracticable  because  the  price  of  the  supply  is  one 
fixed  by  law,"  etc. 

(c)  In  the  case  of  a  procurement  made  when  proposals  have 
been  invited  by  advertisement  and  none  received,  the  method 
of  advertisement  will  be  stated,  as:  "Advertisement  resorted  to 


72  GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

by     *     *     *     day  circular  advertisement,  dated     *     *     *,  but 
no  proposals  received." 

(d)  In  the  case  of  a  procurement  made  when  proposals  re- 
ceived  were   above   tbe   prevailing  market   price   or   otherwise 
unreasonable,    the   lowest   price   received   by    proposal    will   be 
stated,  or  the  unreasonable  character  of  the  proposals  received 
below  prevailing  market  price  will  be  stated,  as :   "Advertise- 
ment  resorted   to   by     *     *     *     day   newspaper  advertisement, 
dated     *     *     *     ,  but  the  lowest  proposal   to  $     *     *     *,"   or 
"Advertisement  resorted  to  by  a     *     *     *     day  circular  adver- 
tisement dated     *     *     *     ,  but  the  proposals  received  below  the 
prevailing  market  price  called  for  delivery  at  other  place  or 
places  than  required  by  the  advertisement,"  etc. 

(e)  In  the  case  of  purchases  made  under  the  act  of  June  12, 
1006,  the  reason  why  advertisement  could  not  be  had  to  advan- 
tage will  be  fully  stated,  as:  "The  character  of  these  supplies 
is  such,  and  the  amount  involved  is  so  small,  as  not  to  warrant 
the  cost  of  advertising." 

160.  After  the  report  has  been  completed  the  purchasing  officer 
will  state  at  the  foot  of  the  blank  the  total  amount  of  open- 
market  procurements,  whether  under  $100  or  not,  made  during 
the  month.     Directly  underneath  this  he  will  insert  the  total 
amount  of  all  procurements  made  during  the  same  month.    This 
will  be   followed  by   a   statement   of  the  percentage   of  open- 
market   procurements   to   the   total   of  all   procurements   made 
during  the  month.     The  insertion  of  these  data  will  show  the 
Secretary   of  War  the  extent  to   which   open-market   procure- 
ments  are   being    resorted    to    by    the    purchasing    officer    and 
enable  a  comparison  to  be  made  with  other  purchasing  officers 
of  the  same  or  other  bureaus. 

INSPECTION. 

161.  Raw  material  used  by  manufacturers  in  furnishing  fin- 
ished products  will  be  as  frequently  inspected  as  the  interests 
of  the  Government  may  require  by  inspectors  especially  qualified 
for  such  work,  subject  to  frequent  personal  supervision  by  a 
commissioned  officer. 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    73 

162.  All  supplies  furnished  under  contract  or  otherwise  will 
be  subjected,  whenever  practicable,  to  the  personal  inspection 
of  a   commissioned  officer  at  the  time  of  delivery;   otherwise 
such  inspections  will  be  made  by  a  civilian  inspector  under  his 
personal   supervision,   subject  to  such  test  and   verification  at 
irregular  intervals  and  at  unexpected  times  by  such  officer. 

163.  Commissioned  officers  charged  with  such  inspection  and 
with  the  supervision  of  civilian  inspectors  must  qualify  them- 
selves by  study,  observation,  and  practice  for  such  supervision 
as  shall  effectively  protect,  the  Government  interests. 

164.  Purchasing  officers  should  require  that  inspectors  furnish 
them  a  written  report  of  inspection,  or  have  them  indorse  on 
face   of   the   vouchers :    "  Inspected    and    accepted."      In-  cases 
where  the  inspection  is  made  by  the  receiving  officer  the  in- 
dorsement or  certificate  should  read :  "  Received,  inspected,  and 
accepted."     These  indorsements  should  be  officially  signed  by 
the  inspector. 

165.  At  the  time  the  purchase  is  made  the  purchasing  officer 
should  arrange  for  the  inspection,  so  that  the  accounts  of  the 
contractor  can  be  certified  by  the  inspector  immediately  upon 
completion  of  the  inspection  and  while  he  is  at  the  factory  or 
place  of  business  of  the  contractor,  if  it  is  intended  to  have  cer- 
tificate of  inspection  indorsed  on  bills. 

166.  (a)   Purchasing  officers  should  so  arrange  for  inspections 
that  bills  of  contractors  will  not  be  delayed  in  settlement.     For 
instance,  if  an  article  is  manufactured  in  the  East  to  be  shipped 
to  some  point  in  the  West  and  the  proposal  of  the  manufac- 
turer specifies  delivery  free  on  board  at  his  factory,  the  articles 
will  be  considered  delivered,  so  far  as  the  contractor  is  con- 
cerned, when  evidence  is  produced  that  they  have  been  turned 
over  to  the  transportation  company  to  be  forwarded  on  Gov- 
ernment bill  of  lading.    The  bill  of  the  contractor  should  there- 
fore not  be  held  for  payment  until  the  arrival  of  the  shipment 
at  destination. 

(&)  In  the  inspection  of  wire  or  cable  under  specifications 
from  the  office  of  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  the  in- 
spector will,  in  all  cases,  secure  samples  of  each  separate  lot 


74  GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

of  wire  (bare  or  insulated),  armor  wire,  cable  core,  and  cable. 
One  sample  of  wire  or  core  about  20  feet  long  and  cable  about 
1  foot  long  should  be  taken  from  each  lot  and  the  same  trans- 
mitted to  the  office  of  the  Chief  Signal  Officer,  labeled  with  the 
date  of  manufacture,  the  manufacturer's  name,  the  cable  for 
which  the  wire  is  intended,  and  the  order  under  which  the  pur- 
chase is  being  made.  Inspectors  will  also  submit  with  their 
report  a  suitable  number  of  short  samples  tested  under  their 
own  supervision,  so  that  there  may  be  on  file  representative 
specimens  of  each  lot. 

(c)  Marking  hammers. — Whenever  inspections  of  consider- 
able quantities  of  poles,  wooden  conduits,  cross  arms,  or  other 
rough,  woodwork  are  required,  the  inspector  will  be  supplied 
with  a  marking  hammer  showing  the  crossed  flags  of  the  Signal 
Corps,  and  a  letter  indicating  the  office  from  which  the  in- 
spection was  made. 

These  marking  hammers  will  be  supplied  by  the  department 
signal  officer  or  the  signal  office,  Washington,  when  needed. 

DELIVERIES. 

167.  Contracts  or  orders  made  or  issued  by  purchasing  officers 
will  specify  how  delivery  shall  be  made. 

168.  Evidence  of  delivery  of  material  should  accompany  all 
bills   rendered  by  creditors.     If  shipment  is   delivered   to   the 
Quartermaster's  Department  for  forwarding  on  Government  bill 
of  lading,   the   contractor   should  procure  a   receipt   from   the 
Quartermaster's  Department  and  attach  it  to   his  bills  when 
rendering  them.    Form  27  can  be  used  for  this  purpose. 

169.  If  shipment  is  to  be  delivered  in  the  same  city  in  which 
the  contractor   is   located,   he   should   procure   a    receipt   from 
the  party  to  whom  the  articles  are  delivered.     The  receipt  of 
such  articles  may  be  indicated  on  the  face  of  the  contractor's 
bills  at  the  time  delivery  is  made,  or  else  a  separate  receipt 
should  be  obtained. 

170.  Special  instructions  concerning  delivery  and  taking  re- 
ceipts therefor  should  be  issued  by  the  purchasing  officer  if  the 
occasion  demands. 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    75 

MARKING    SUPPLIES   BY   CONTRACTORS. 

171.  Contractors  furnishing  supplies  will  be  required  to  mark 
;iiid  distinguish   them   with   their  names  and   with   sueh   other 
designation  as  shall  be  directed  by  the  purchasing  officer,  or 
as  shall  be  required  by  the  specifications  under  which  the  pur- 
chase is  made. 

BO'XING    OR    PACKING. 

172.  In  making  contracts  it  should  be  understood  that  articles 
are  to  be  boxed  or  packed  and  delivered  free  on  board  ready 
for  shipment.     Exception  to  this  practice  should  only  be  made 
when  additional  boxing  or  packing  to  that   stipulated   in   the 
contract  is  requested  by  the  purchasing  officer  or  in  the  case  of 
shipments  boxed  for  export  forwarding. 

FREIGHT   CHARGES. 

173.  The  Signal  Corps  is  not  permitted  by  law  to  pay  charges 
for  freight,  expressage,  or  postage.  .  When  the  contract  calls  for 
delivery  upon  the  part  of  the  contractor,  the  charges  must  be 
prepaid.     The  contractor  must  render  bills  for  the  goods  de- 
livered and  not  show  the  transportation  charges  as  a  separate 
item.     If  the  contract  does  not  call  for  delivery  on  the  part  of 
the  contractor,  the  shipment  will  be  forwarded  by  the  Quarter- 
master Corps  on  Government  bill  of  lading. 

• 

VOUCHERS. 

174.  Creditors  will   be   required   to   render  bills   against   the 
United  States  on  account  of  the  Signal  Corps  promptly  upon 
delivery  of  goods  or  termination  of  services.     For  this  purpose 
War  Department  standard  Form  330a  and  Signal  Corps  Form  29 
will  be  furnished  the  contractor  when  order  is  placed. 

175.  Vouchers  for  purchase  will  be  rendered  in  quadruplicate, 
using  Forms  330a  and  29,  each  in  duplicate.    When  received  by 


76  GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

disbursing  officers  they  will  be  checked  and  examined,  briefed, 
and  given  a  serial  number.  The  two  on  Form  330a  will  be  held 
as  the  original  and  memorandum  voucher  for  settlement.  The 
other  two,  on  Form  29,  will  be  forwarded  to  the  consignee,  one 
of  which  he  will  sign  and  return  as  a  receipt  to  the  disbursing 
officer  whose  name  appears  in  the  brief,  keeping  the  other  for 
file  with  his  retained  copy  of  property  return  rendered  for  the 
period  in  which  the  property  is  received.  Articles  so  received 
will  be  taken  up  on  the  consignee's  property  return  by  the  serial 
number  given  by  the  disbursing  officer  to  Form  29.  Receipted 
Forms  29  will  be  retained  by  disbursing  officers  until  the  end 
of  the  property  accounting  period  (see  par.  262)  and  within  20 
days  thereafter  forwarded  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the 
Army  to  be  checked  against  the  disbursing  officer's  abstract  of 
articles  purchased  and  the  consignee's  property  return. 

176.  When  a  disbursing  officer  purchases  articles  which  remain 
in  his  possession  he  will  enter  his  own  name  in  the  abstract 
of  articles  purchased  and  paid  for   (Form  9)   as  the  person  to 
whom  said  articles  have  been  issued,  and  will  account  for  the 
same  on  his  property  return. 

177.  Signal  Corps  purchases  must  always  be  taken  up  immedi- 
ately upon  receipt  and  be  accounted  for  by  the  consignee  on  the 
property  return  for  the  period  in  which  received. 

178.  If  the  service  is  performed  by  the  piece  or  by  the  job, 
vouchers   should   be   rendered    on   Form   330a   and   worded   as 
follows : 

• 

For  s-ervices  (describe  the  service),  e.  g. : 

For  services  rendered  in  setting  10  telegraph  poles $ 

179.  Vouchers  for  material  used  in  performing  service  by  the 
job   will   be  disallowed.     The  price  for  the  job,   according  to 
agreement,  will  include  the  cost  of  any  material  used. 

180.  Vouchers  written  with  pencil,  unless  of  an  indelible  char- 
acter, will  not  be  accepted.    Vouchers  which  show  erasures  will 
not  be  accepted.     The  vouchers  should  be  dated  on  or  subse- 
quent to  the  date  of  delivery. 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    77 

181.  Vouchers  for  services  other  than  personal  will  be  rendered 
on  Form  330a.     Vouchers  for  personal  services  will  be  rendered 
on  War  Department  Form  334  or  335. 

182.  Order  nnd  requisition  numbers  will  be  shown  on  vouchers 
for  purposes  of  reference.    Each  purchase  should  be  separately 
billed.    All  vouchers  for  material  or  services  must  have  a  nota- 
tion in  few  words  stating  for  what  specific  purpose  the  mate- 
rial will  be  used  or  services  rendered. 

183.  If  the  goods  are  delivered  under  verbal  instructions,  the 
date  of  such  purchase  and  the  name  of  the  party  making  the 
purchase  should  be  shown  on  the  vouchers. 

184.  For  the  purpose  of  uniformity  and  for  checking  vouchers 
against  orders,  the  articles  should  be  billed  exactly  as  described 
in  the  purchase  order. 

185.  Abbreviations  should  not  "be  made  in  the  names  of  articles. 
When  more  than  one  article  of  the  same  kind  and  quality  is 
billed,  the  unit  price  must  be  shown ;  that  is,  the  price  each, 
per  dozen,  per  1,000,  per  foot,  etc. 

186.  All  vouchers  should  contain  a  certificate  that  the  services 
have  been   satisfactorily   performed  or   the  supplies  delivered, 
except  that  under  the  provisions  of  section  5  of  the  legislative, 
executive,   and  judicial   act   approved  March  4,  1915,   subscrip- 
tions to  periodicals,  which  have  been  certified  in  writing  by  the 
respective  heads  of  the  executive  departments  or  other  Govern- 
ment establishments  to  be  required  for  official  use,  may  be  paid 
in   advance   from   appropriations  available   therefor.     No   sub- 
scriptions to  periodicals  should  be  made  before  first  obtaining 
the  approval  of  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army. 

187.  There  should  be  indorsed  on  the  face  of  the  vouchers  the 
name   or  title  and   address  of   the  individual   or   company   to 
whom  the  delivery  is  made  and  to  whom  consigned.     Example : 

Delivered  to  depot  quartermaster,  New  York,  consigned  to 
the  Chief  Signal  Officer,  Washington,  D.  C. 

188.  Signatures  must  in  all  cases  literally  agree  with  the  name 
of  the  creditor  in  whose  favor  the  account  is  rendered  as  shown 


79  GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

by  the  billheads.    Examples  as  to  proper  manner  of  signing  are 
given  below. 

189.  Individuals  will  affix  their  autograph  signatures  in  ink. 
The  autograph  signature  of  a  duly  empowered  attorney  wili  be 
accepted  when  an  approved  power  of  attorney  has  been  filed 
with  the  disbursing  officer  paying  the  account.     Example : 

JOHN   DOE,, 
By  RICHARD  ROE,  Attorney. 

190.  Copartnership  should  have  the  name  of  the  firm  stamped 
or  written  and  be  followed  by  the  autograph  signature  of  a 
member  of  the  firm  or  other  authorized  person.     Example: 

JOHN  DOE  &  Co., 
By  RICHARD  ROE, 

A  Member  of  tine  Firm. 

191.  Incorporated  companies  should  have  the  name  of  the  com- 
pany stamped  or  written,  followed  by  the  autograph  signature 
of  an  authorized  officer  or  person  showing  his  official  position. 
Example : 

JOHN  DOE  &  Co., 
By  RICHARD  ROE,  Treasurer. 

192.  Companies'  or  trade  names  not  incorporated  should  have 
the  name  of  such  company  stamped  or  written  and  followed  by 
the  autograph  signature  of  the  sole  owner,  sole  proprietor,  or 
other  authorized  person.     Example: 

THE  JOHN  DOE  IRON  WORKS, 
By  RICHARD  ROE,  Sole  Owner. 

193.  A  signature  by  mark  must  be  witnessed  by  a  disinter- 
ested person,  with  address. 

194.  Vouchers  in  payment  for  supplies  or  services  other  than 
personal  made  under  contract  will  state  on  their  face,  under 
the  form  of  agreement,  the  date  of  the  contract.     Thus : 

Under  contract  dated , ,  191__. 

195.  Vouchers  for  purchases  or  services  other  than  personal 
will  make  reference  to  the  method  of  advertisement  in  the  place 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    79 

provided  therefor  on  the  face  of  the  vouchers  (Form  330a)  by 
number,  as  follows : 

1.  Advertising  in  newspapers. 

2.  Circular   letters   sent   to    dealers    and 

notices  posted  in  public  places. 

3.  Without  advertising,   under  an  exigency  of  the  service  which 
existed  prior  to  the  order  and  which  would  not  admit  of  the  delay 
incident  to  advertising. 

4.  Without   advertising,,   under   the    act   of   June    12,    1906,    the 
aggregate  amount  involved  not  exceeding  $500. 

5.  Without    advertising,    it    being    impracticable    to    secure    com- 
petition because  of1 

196.  The  first  voucher  rendered  in  payment  for  a  purchase  of 
supplies  or  engagement  of  services  other  than  personal  under  a 

t  proposal  will  be  accompanied  by  a  copy  of  the  advertisement, 
the  original  proposal,  and  a  copy  of  the  letter  of  acceptance  of 
such  proposal.  Subsequent  vouchers  under  this  proposal  will 
make  reference  to  this  voucher  by  number  under  the  form  of 
agreement,  thus: 

Proposal  of  (date)  attached  to  voucher  No. , , 

(Month.) 
191__. 

197.  A  voucher  for  the  purchase  of  supplies  or  engagement  of 
services   other   than   personal,    under   a   written   proposal   and 

1  Instructions  under  paragraph  195  above  : 

Among  the  reasons  which  may  be  assigned  as  making  competition  im- 
practicable are  the  following  : 

(a)  Under  a  formal  contract  for  construction  there  arises  a  neces- 
sity for  additional  work  practicable  of  performance  only  by  the 
contractor. 

(6)  The  articles  wanted  are  patented  or  copyrighted  and  not  on 
sale  by  dealers,  but  by  the  owners  of  the  patent  or  copyright,  or  their 
agents  or  assigns  alone,  at  a  fixed  and  uniform  price. 

(c)  There  is  only  one  dealer  within  a  practicable  distance  from  whom 
the  articles  can  be  obtained. 

(d)  Prices  or  rates  are  fixed  by  legislation,  either  Federal,  State,  or 
municipal,  or  by  competent  regulation. 

(e)  Previous   advertising   for   the    identical    purchase    has    been    fol- 
lowed by  the  receipt  of  no  proposals,  or  only  of  such  as  were  unreason- 
able, and  under  circumstances  indicating  that  further  advertising  would 
not  alter  results. 

98483° — 15 6 


80  GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

written  acceptance,  will  be  accompanied  by  the  original  pro- 
posal and  copy  of  the  letter  accepting  proposal.  Subsequent 
vouchers  will  make  reference  thereto  in  accordance  with  the 
preceding  paragraph. 

198.  Vouchers  for  services    (Form  No.  335)    must  show  the 
rate  of  pay  per  hour,  day,  or  month.    The  time  and  rate  of  pay 
should  be  stated,  and  the  total  carried  out  in  the  proper  place. 
Persons  employed  by  the  day  or  hour. will  be  paid  for  the  actual 
time. 

199.  Thirty  days  will  be  assumed  as  the  length  of  the  month 
without   regard  to  the  actual   number  of  days  in  the   month. 
This  does  not  apply  to  per  diem  employees. 

200.  Per  diem  employees  will  be  paid  for  legal  holidays  occur- 
ring within  a  continuous  period  of  employment.     (Decision  by 
Judge  Advocate  General,  Jan.  16,  1906.) 

201.  No  payments  made  shall  be  evidenced  by  a  receipt,  except 
where  receipts  are  required  either  by  law  or  contract,  unless 
such  payments  are  made  in  cash — that  is,  currency. 

202.  All  vouchers  for  payment  by  disbursing  officers,  except 
those  required  by  law  to  be  verified  by  affidavit,  and  the  expense 
accounts  of  the  civilian  officers,  employees,  and  agents  of  the 
Government,  which  shall  be  verified  by  affidavit  as  heretofore, 
shall  be  certified  by  the  claimant  as  correct  and  just,  except 
that  vouchers  for  personal  compensation  for  services  rendered 
under  the  personal  supervision  of  some  administrative  officer 
and  so  certified  by  him  need  not  be  certified  by  the  claimant, 
provided  the  voucher  describes  specifically  the  position,  the  rate 
of  compensation,  and  the  period  covered. 

203.  Only  cue  copy  of  a  voucher,  the  original,  should  contain 
signed  certifications,  approvals,  and  receipts.    The  memorandum 
form  will  be  retained  by  the  paying  officer  as  his  record  of  the 
transaction. 

204.  Vouchers  should  be  numbered  consecutively  and   so  re- 
corded on  abstract  of  expenditure  (Form  329a  or  329?>).     Such 
numbers  should  not  be  repeated  during  any  fiscal  year. 

205.  After  once  forwarding  a  set  of  vouchers  for  settlement, 
under  no  circumstances  should  an  officer  forward  a  duplicate 


GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.   81 

set,  unless  requested  to  do  so.  If  the  original  set  of  vouchers 
is  returned  to  an  officer  by  the  paying  office  for  correction,  and 
it  is  found  necessary  to  secure  a  new  set  in  order  to  make  the 
correction,  the  incorrect  set  should  be  marked  "Canceled"  and 
returned  to  the  party  rendering  them,  to  be  destroyed. 

CASH    PAYMENTS. 

206.  Disbursing  officers   shall   make   cash  payments   only   in 
cases  authorized,  and  then  only  in  those  cases  where  the  pay- 
ment is  made  by  the  disbursing  officer   in  person,  or  by   his 
deputy,  and  the  exchange  of  money  and  the  receipt  thereof  is 
simultaneous. 

207.  When  payments  are  made  in  cash — that  is,  currency — on 
Form  330a  or  335,  they  must  be  evidenced  by  a  statement  of 
such  fact  in  the  receipt  and  in  substantially  the  following  form 
(W.  D.  Form  365)  : 

Received  from  -  -  in  person,  or  by  his  deputy,  and  in 

cash,  the  sum  of  -  -  dollars  and  -  -  cents,  in 

full  payment  of  voucher  No.  -         — ,  account  -  — . 

PAY   ROLLS. 

208.  Form  No.  334  will  be  used  when  two  or  more  persons  are 
to  be  paid  for  personal  services  on  the  same  voucher. 

209.  No  vacant  lines  should  be  left  between  names  on  the  pay 
roll,  and  the  unused  space  below  the  last  entry  should  be  ruled 
diagonally  across  the  page,  the  roll  footed  up,  and  the  total 
placed  in  the  space  provided  at  the  bottom  of  the  roll. 

210.  A  signature  by  mark  must  be  attested  in  the  "  Remarks  " 
column  by  one  disinterested  witness,  with  address. 

211.  Pay  rolls  must  not  be  signed  in  duplicate.     A  memoran- 
dum should  be  made  and  retained  as  a  record  in  the  adminis- 
trative office  or  by  the  disbursing  officer. 

212.  Receipts  should  be  taken  on  Form  334  only  when  payment 
is  made  by  the  disbursing  officer  in  person  or  by  his  deputy, 


82  GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

and  in  cash — that  is,  currency — and  the  delivery  of  such  receipt 
is  simultaneous  with  the  payment. 

213.  When  payment  is  made  by  check  no  signature  to  receipt 
will  be  required  or  taken,  but  the  number,  date,  and  amount  of 
the  check  and  the  depositary  on  which  drawn  will  be  shown 
in  the  column  provided  therefor. 

CHECKS. 

214.  All  blank  checks  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  United  States 
for  use  by  disbursing  officers  will  be  issued  by  the  Secretary 
of  the  Treasury,  Division  of  Printing  and  Stationery,  to  whom 
all  correspondence  relating  thereto   should  be  addressed ;   and 
only   blank   checks   thus   issued    shall   be    used   by   disbursing 
officers  in  drawing  checks  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  United  States. 

215.  A  disbursing  officer  receiving  a   supply  of  checks  will 
receipt  for  the  same  to  the  issuing  officer   (to  the  Director  of 
the  Bureau  of.  Engraving  and  Printing  in  case  of  a  new  issue 
on   requisition),   and   when   he  ceases  to  act   as   a  disbursing 
officer  or  agent  he  should  return  the  unused  checks  to  the  Chief 
of  Division  of  Printing  and  Stationery,  retaining  with  his  offi- 
cial records  the  stubs  or  register  of  checks  issued  by  him.     In 
case  one  disbursing  officer  is  succeeded  by  another,  the  officer 
relieved  may  transfer  his  unused  checks  to  his  successor,  re- 
taining for  file  with  his  official  records  the  stubs  or  register  of 
checks  issued.     The  successor  may  temporarily  use  the  checks 
of  the  former  disbursing  officer  by  striking  out  his  predecessor's 
numerical    symbol    printed    thereon,    after    which    the    unused 
checks  of  his  predecessor   shall  be   returned   to  the   Chief  of 
Division    Of    Printing   and    Stationery,    Treasury    Department, 
through  the  official  who  issued  them. 

216.  Should  a  disbursing  officer  or  agent  make  an  erasure  or 
alteration  on  any  of  his  checks,  he  shall  certify  across  the  face 
of  the  check  to  the  correctness  of  such  erasure  or  alteration. 

217.  Spoiled  or  canceled  checks  shall  be  sent  quarterly,  by 
each  disbursing  officer  direct  to  the  Auditor  for  the  War  De- 
partment,  Treasury  Department,  for  preservation  and  future 
reference. 


GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.   83 

218.  For  the  interest  of  all  concerned,  the  greatest  care  should 
be  exercised  in  the  custody  of  blank  checks.     The  officer  in 
whose  official  possession  a  check  book  may  come  is  responsible, 
while  it  is  in  his  charge,  for  any  misuse  by  anyone  of  the  blank 
checks  contained  therein.     It  should  be  kept  under  lock  and 
key  when  not  in  use  and  the  blank  checks  counted  at  frequent 
intervals. 

219.  No  disbursing  officer  shall  issue  a  check  on  the  Treasurer 
of  the  United  Slates  until  after  he  has  ascertained  his  numeri- 
cal   symbol  from   the  Treasurer  of   the  United   States,   which 
numerical  symbol  should  be  printed,  stamped,  or  written  in  the 
lower  right-hand  corner  of  each  check. 

220.  Requisitions  for  blank  checks  shall  be  made  on  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  Treasury,  Division  of  Printing  and  Stationery,  on 
the  form  prescribed  by  the  department  (Treas.  Dept.  Form  No. 
1231-A,    Division    of   Printing    and    Stationery),    allowing    six 
weeks  time  for  the  printing  and  delivery  of  the  checks,  and  for 
a    quantity   sufficient   to   last   six   months,    unless  for   a   good 
reason   (which  should  be  stated  on  the  requisition)    the  quan- 
tity should  be  more  or  less  than  six  months'  supply. 

221.  Treasury   Department   Circular  No.   30,   dated  June  25, 
1900,  which  requires  that  on  checks  of  United  States  disbursing 
officers  the  amounts  and  names  of  payees  shall  be  filled  in  either 
with  pen  and  ink,  or  with  needle-point  typewriter  which  perfo- 
rates the  paper,   and  prohibits  the  use  of  the  ordinary  type- 
writer for  that  purpose,  has  been  amended  so  as  to  permit  the 
use  of  ordinary  typewriter  with  plain  type  or  rubber  stamps 
for  filling  in  names  and  amounts  on  warrants  and  checks,  pro- 
vided such  warrants  and  checks  are  written  on  the  protective 
surface-tinted  blanks  furnished  by  the  Treasury  Department. 
Only  typewriter  record  ribbons,  writing  black  or  blue,  the  ink 
of  which  must  be  heavy  and  of  the  most  permanent  nature,  or 
stamp  pads  inked  with  a  permanent  heavy  black  ink,  shall  be 
used  for  the  purpose,  so  as  to  secure  clear,  well-inked  impres- 
sions which  can  not  be   easily   erased  without   removing   the 
protective  surface  tinting  at  the  same  time. 


84  GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

Every  disbursing  officer  when  opening  his  first  account,  before 
issuing  any  checks,  will  furnish  the  Treasurer  of  the  United. 
States  with  his  official  signature  duly  verified  by  some  officer 
whose  signature  is  known  to  the  Treasurer. 

222.  Any   disbursing   officer   drawing   checks   on   moneys   de- 
posited to  his  official  credit  must  state  on  the  face  or  back  of 
each  check  the  object  or  purpose  to  which  the  avails  are  to  be 
applied.     If  the  object  or  purpose  for  which  any  check  of  a  dis- 
bursing officer  is  drawn  is  not  stated  thereon  as  required,  or 
if  any  reason  exists  for  suspecting  fraud,  the  office  or  bank  on 
which  such  check  is  drawn  will  refuse  its  payment. 

223.  Each  check  of  a  disbursing  officer  must  state  on  its  face 
the  address  of  the  officer  drawing  it,  the  object  of  the  expendi- 
ture, and  the  number  of  the  voucher.     Payment  is  refused  on 
all  checks  where  regulations  are  not  complied  with  and  report 
of  the  fact  is  made  to  the  Treasury. 

224.  The  appropriation,  object  of  the  expenditure,  the  amount 
of  each   voucher,   and  the   total   amount  of  the  check   should 
appear  on  the  check  stub. 

225.  The  name  and  official  designation  of  the  officer  drawing  a 
check  should  be  written  or  stamped  on  the  stub. 

226.  A  single  check  may  be  drawn  in  payment  of  more  than 
one  voucher  payable  from  different  appropriations. 

227.  Any  check  drawn  by  a  disbursing  officer  payable  to  him- 
self or  "  order,"  "  to  make  payment  of  amounts  not  exceeding 
$20  each,"  must  bear  indorsed  thereon  the  names  of  the  per- 
sons to  whom  the  amount  drawn  is  to  be  paid,  or  be  accom- 
panied by  a  list  or  schedule,  made  a  part  of  the  check,  con- 
taining the  same  information. 

228.  The  object   or   purpose   to   which   the  avails  are  to  be 
applied  in  case  of  any  check  drawn  by  a  disbursing  officer  for 
an  amount  to  be  retained  in  his  possession  by  authority  of  the 
Secretary  of  War  must  be  clearly  indicated  by  a  statement  on 
the  check  that  it  is  to  obtain  cash  to  hold  in  personal  possession 
and  date  of  authority  given  so  to  hold  funds. 

228a.  Duplicate   checks. — Whenever   any   original   disbursing 
officer's  check  is  lost,  stolen,  or  destroyed,  the  Secretary  of  the 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.   85 

Treasury  may  authorize  the  officer  issuing  the  same,  after  the 
expiration  of  six  months  and  within  three  years  from  the  date 
of  such  disbursing  officer's  check,  to  issue  a  duplicate  thereof 
upon  the  execution  of  such  bond  to  indemnify  the  United  States 
as  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  may  prescribe  *  *  *  (sec. 
3646,  R.  S.,  as  reenacted  and  amended  by  act  of  Feb.  23,  1909). 
Instructions  concerning  the  issue  of  duplicate  checks  under  the 
provisions  of  the  foregoing  are  contained  in  Treasury  circular 
of  September  15,  1913  (Form  1343-F.  C.,  Dec.  20-12). 

CASHBOOKS. 

229.  Every  disbursing  officer  shall  keep  a  cashbook  showing 
the  amount  disbursed  under  each  appropriation  and  total.    Such 
cashbook  should  be  balanced  monthly  and  the  totals  agree  with 
the  account  current. 

The  cashbook  forms  part  of  the  station  records  and  shall  not 
be  removed  from  the  station  except  on  its  discontinuance.  The 
disbursing  officer  will  see  that  it  is  carefully  preserved  as  part 
of  such  records,  that  the  entries  therein  are  properly  made,  and 
that  the  book  is  transferred  to  his  successor. 

ACCOUNTS    CURRENT. 

230.  Accounts  current  will  be  made  in  duplicate;   one  copy 
will  be  retained  by  the  officer  and  the  other,  together  with  the 
necessary  abstracts  (inclusive  of  Signal  Corps  Forms  8  and  9) 
and  vouchers,  will  be  forwarded  direct,  by  indorsement,  to  the 
Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army,  for  administrative  examination 
and  reference  to  the  Auditor  for  the  War  Department,  within 
10  days  from  the  end  of  the  month  to  which  they  relate.     The 
officer  will  then  be  notified  by  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the 
Army,  by  letter,  of  the  result  of  such  administrative  examina- 
tion, and  will  address  any  correspondence  resulting  therefrom 
direct  to  the  Auditor  for  the  War  Department,  to  whom  the 
accounts,  accompanied  by  a  copy  of  the  letter  above  referred  to, 
will  then  have  been  forwarded  for  settlement. 


86  GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

Disbursing  officers  are  required  to  render  their  accounts 
monthly,  and  such  accounts  shall  include  all  Signal  Corps 
moneys  in  their  possession  on  account  of  the  United  States. 
These  accounts  shall  be  rendered  in  one  consolidated  account 
current  irrespective  of  the  number  of  appropriations,  fiscal 
years,  or  other  headings  of  account  involved.  (See  par.  236.) 

231.  All  transactions  coming  within  the  time  covered  by  such 
account  shall  be  reported  therein.     No  payments  or  collections 
not  actually  made  and  in  the  hands  of  the  officer  during  the 
period  of  an  account  shall  be  included  therein. 

232.  The  balance  acknowledged  by  officers  and  their  analysis 
thereof  must  actually  represent  the  state  of  their  business  at 
the  close  of  the  last  day  for  which  the  account  is  rendered. 
They  must  so  order  their  business  that  they  may,  when  called 
upon  so  to  do,  close  their  accounts  and  analyze  their  acknowl- 
edged balances  without  delay. 

233.  When  officers  meet  a  disallowance  in  the  settlement  of 
their  accounts  they  should,  if  they  so  desire,  use  all  due  dili- 
gence in  filing  an  appeal  with  the  Comptroller  of  the  Treasury, 
as  provided  by  law.    Unless  it  be  their  intention  to  file  such  an 
appeal,  or  to  secure  other  and  appropriate  relief,  they  should 
promptly  concede  the  disallowance  and  credit  the  United  States 
in  their  account  current.     Simultaneously  with  the  concession 
of   disallowances    small    in    amount    they    should    deposit    the 
amount  thereof  with  their  actual  cash  and  thereafter  at  con- 
venient and  proper  times  or,  in  case  of  conceded  disallowances 
of  greater  amount,  immediately  deposit  the  same  to  their  official 
credit,  subject  thereafter  to  their  legitimate  payments.     Except 
upon  special  instruction  from  competent  authority,  amounts  of 
conceded  disallowances  will  not  be  deposited  to  personal  credit 
to  be  covered  back  into  the  Treasury.    The  right  of  appeal  to 
the  Comptroller  of  the  Treasury  is  limited  to  one  year  from 
date  of  disallowance. 

234.  Officers  will  use  diligence  in  insuring  prompt  replies  to 
and  explanation  of  any  suspensions  which  may  be  made  in  the 
settlement  of  their  accounts  by  the  Auditor  for  the  War  Depart- 
ment. 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    87 

235.  It  is  believed  that  in  most  cases  the  disbursing  officer 
will  be  able  to  obtain  from  his  depositary,  within  the  period  of 
10  days  above  referred  to,  the  necessary  information  to  verify 
his  balance  and  complete  the  analysis  at  the  foot  of  the  account 
current.     The  account  current  must  nevertheless  be  forwarded 
at  the  proper  time,  as  required  by  law;  and  if  the  information 
from  the  depositary  is  not  at  hand,  that  fact  should  be  set  forth 
and  the  net  balance  only  given  in  the  analysis. 

ABSTRACT    TO    ACCOMPANY    ACCOUNT    CURRENT. 

236.  The  accounts  current  must  be  accompanied  by  the  follow- 
ing supplementary  reports : 

(a)   Signal  Corps  forms: 

No.  8.  Abstract  of  articles  purchased  for  immediate  expenditure. 
No.  9.  Abstract  of  articles  purchased  and  paid  for. 

(&)   War  Department  standard  forms: 

No.  14.  Report  of  open-market  purchases  and  the  procurement  of 
services,  not  personal,  exceeding  .$100  in  amount. 

No.  321.  Abstract  of  funds  received  by  transfer  from  officers. 

No.  322.  Abstract  of  funds  received  from  authorized  sales  of  public 
property. 

No.  323.  Abstract  of  funds  received  from  sales  of  services. 

No.  324.  Abstract  of  funds  received  from  sources  other  than  sales  of 
public  property  or  services. 

No.  325.  Account  of  sales  of  public  property  at  public  auction  or  on 
sealed  proposals. 

No.  326.  Invoice  of  funds  transferred. 

No.  327.  Cash  receipt  for  funds  transferred. 

No.  328.  Abstract  of  transfer  of  funds. 

No.  329a.  Abstract  of  disbursements   (medium),  or 

No.  329b.  Abstract  of  disbursements   (small). 

(c)  Signal  Corps  Forms  8  and  9  are  for  use  in  the  Office  of 
the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  in  connection  with  the 
examination  of  property  accountability.  Articles-  purchased 
should  not  appear  both  upon  Form  8  and  Form  9.  All  articles 
purchased  and  immediately  used  up  in  the  office  or  in  construc- 
tion work  should  be  listed  on  Form  8,  information  as  to  the 
disposition  of  the  property  being  indicated  in  the  proper  column. 
Articles  purchased  but  not  used  up  in  office  or  for  work  in 


88  GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

progress   should  be  listed   upon   Form   9.     All  abstract  forms 
should  be  certified  to  as  correct. 

(d)  The  report  of  open-market  purchases   (W.  D.  Form  14) 
should  be  prepared  in  conformity  with  instructions  under  head 
of  "Open-market  purchases."     (Pars.  149-160.) 

(e)  A  statement  should  also  be  furnished  with  the  account 
current  showing  the  total  expenditures  under  each  serial  au- 
thority during  the  month. 

237.  Every  disbursing  officer  will,  upon  receipt  of  the  state- 
ment of  his  disbursing  account  for  the  month  of  June  of  each 
year  from  the  office  or  bank  in  which  his  funds  are  kept,  im- 
mediately make  a  return  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  of 
all  checks  drawn  by  him  which  have  been  outstanding  and  un- 
paid for  three  full  fiscal  years  on  the  30th  of  June  of  that  year, 
stating  the  number  of  each  check,  its  date,  amount,  in  whose 
favor,  or  what  office  or  bank,  and  for  what  purpose  drawn,  the 
number  of  the  voucher  in  payment  of  which  it  was  drawn,  and, 
if  known,  the  residence  of  the  payee,  and  inclose  in  said  return 
all  checks  described  therein  which  may  be  in  his  possession. 

Credit  entries  for  funds  received  in  correction  of  overpay- 
ments should  show  by  whom  and  to  whom  the  overpayments 
were  made  and  on  what  vouchers. 

CASH   ACCOUNT. 

238.  Under  the  heading  "Cash  account"  (Form  320)  the  dis- 
bursing officer  should  exhibit  fully  all  items  of  cash  belonging 
to    the   United    States   in   his  personal   possession   during   the 
month.     Cash,  within  the  meaning  of  this  requirement,  will  be 
understood  to  include  not  only  specie  and  legal-tender  Treasury 
notes,  but  also  national-bank  notes  and  commercial  drafts  or 
checks  coming  into  the  disbursing  officer's  possession  in  any 
way. 

239.  He  will  debit  therein  the  amount  of  cash  on  hand  from 
the  preceding  month,  and  separately  each  item  of  cash  received 
during  the  month,  indicating  fully  its  date,  amount,  and  source, 
as  e.  g.,  proceeds  of  check  drawn  to  procure  cash,  designating 


GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.   89 

its  number  and  depositary;  cash  collected  from  sales  of  prop- 
erty; cash  refunded  by  himself  or  another  to  correct  an  er- 
roneous payment,  designating  the  voucher  wheron  the  error 
was  made,  etc. 

240.  He  will  credit  therein  severally  each  cash  deposit  made 
by  him  during  the  month,  designating  the  depositary,  and  indi- 
cating whether  the  deposit  was  to  his  official  credit  or  to  the 
credit  of  the  Treasurer  of  the  United  States.     If  the  latter,  he 
will  give  also  the  number  of  the  certificate  of  deposit.    He  will 
credit  in  a  single  lump  sum  the  entire  amount  of  cash  disburse- 
ments made  during  the  month,  as  shown  by  receipts  filed  with 
the  vouchers  to  his  account  current.     He  will  credit  at  the  end 
of  the  month  the  amount  of  cash  remaining  in  his  personal 
possession,  which  should  in  every  case  be  verified  by  actual 
count,  and  agree  with  the  cash  as  shown  by  the  analysis  of 
balance  in  his  account  current. 

241.  If  the  officer  had  no  cash  of  the  United  States  in  his  pos- 
session during  the  month  that  fact  should  be  stated  on  the  face 
of  the  cash  account : 

(a)  The  cash  account  is  merely  subsidiary  to  the  account 
current  and  in  no  way  takes  the  place  of  the  latter  or  of  any 
of  the  entries  which  should  properly  appear  therein. 

(&)  Thus  a  cash  deposit  to  the  credit  of  the  Treasurer  of  the 
United  States  must  not  only  be  credited  in  the  cash  account  as 
pertinent  to  the  record  of  the  officer's  cash  transactions,  but 
must  also  be  debited  in  his  account  current,  in  order  to  show 
and  claim  a  proper  reduction  in  his  accountable  balance  as  dis- 
tinguished from  his  cash  balance.  On  the  other  hand,  cash 
deposit  to  his  official  credit,  as  shown  by  credit  entries  on  his 
cash  account,  do  not  affect  his  accountable  balance,  and  should 
not  be  noted  in  his  account  current. 

(c)  Again,  cash  debited  in  the  cash  account  from  collections 
or  refundments  to  correct  disbursing  errors  must  be  credited  in 
the  account  current,  since  it  augments  the  officer's  accountable 
balance ;  but  cash  debited  from  checks  drawn  on  his  depositary 
to  procure  the  same  does  not  affect  his  accountable  balance,  and 
no  entry  thereof  should  be  made  in  the  account  current. 


90  GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

(d)  Cash  disbursements  on  vouchers  which  are  credited  in  a 
lump  sum  in  the  cash  account  are  included  in  the  total  dis- 
bursements debited  in  the  account  current  and  should  not  be 
again  separately  debited  in  the  latter. 

ADMINISTRATIVE    OFFICERS.  . 

242.  Whenever  feasible,   administrative   officers   will   require 
disbursing  officers  under  them,  at  the  close  of  business  on  the 
last  day  of  periods  for  which  they  are  required  to  render  ac- 
counts, to  count  and  schedule,   in  the  presence  of  a  duly  au- 
thorized and  disinterested   witness  or  witnesses,  all   items  of 
cash,  i.  e.,  currency,  memorandum  payments,  and  other  items, 
to  appear  in  their  analysis  of  balances  for  which  vouchers  are 
not  to  be  submitted  to  the  auditors  of  the  Treasury  Department 
with  the  current  account. 

PROCEEDS  OF  SALES,  CONDEMNED  PROPERTY. 

• 

243.  The  proceeds  from  the  sale  of  condemned  stores  should 
be  abstracted  on  War  Department  Form  324,.  account  of  sales 
rendered  on  War  Department  Form  325,  and  accounted  for  on 
the  account  current  War  Department  Form  320. 

244.  The  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  condemned  stores  or  other 
public  property  of  any  kind  should  be  deposited  to  the  credit 
of  the  Treasurer  of  the  United  States  as  "  miscellaneous  receipts 
on  account  of  proceeds  of  Government  property." 

245.  The  act  of  June  8,  1896,  authorizing  the  payment  of  ex- 
penses "  as  approved  by  the  accounting  officers  of  the  Treas- 
ury" incurred  in  the  sale  of  old  material.,  etc.,  from  the  gross 
proceeds  thereof,  and  the  payment  into  the  Treasury  of  the  net 
proceeds  only,  does  not  require  that  such  expenses  shall  be  so 
approved  before  payment,  but  simply  that  an  itemized  account 
thereof  shall  be  rendered  to  the  accounting  officers  for  settle- 
ment as  any  other  item  of  expenditure  of  Government  funds. 
(Davis,  par.  616,  of  1901.) 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    91 

246.  When  necessary  to  employ  a  civilian  auctioneer  for  the 
sale  of  public  property  the  officer,  when  practicable,  will  dett"-- 
mine  before  employment  the  amount  he  shall  be  paid  for  the 
service.     This  should  be  reasonable.     In  case  of  fees  the  per- 
centage should  be  that  usually  obtained  in  that  locality,  and 
under  this  form  of  payment  the  auctioneer  should  bear  all  the 
expenses  of  advertisement. 

247.  For  ordinary  sales  the  services  of  a   clerk  or  employee 
should  be  utilized  as  juis-tmneer.  without   fxprnso  t<>  the  Gov- 
ernment. 

SALKS   TO   OFFICERS. 

248.  In  connection  with  paragraph  1564,  Army  Regulations, 
authorizing  officers  of  the  Army  to  purchase  from  the  Signal 
Corps   articles   of    Signal    Corps   equipment,    the   following   in- 
structions should  be  observed : 

Officers  of  the  Army  in  the  United  States,  Hawaii,  and  Alaska 
desiring  to  purchase  Signal  Corps  equipment  will  submit  to  the 
Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army,  Signal  Corps  Form  No.  240, 
properly  accomplished  in  duplicate,  and  accompanied  by  post- 
office  money  order  or  check  for  the  amount  of  the  purchase, 
made  payable  to  the  "  Disbursing  Officer,  Signal  Corps,  United 
States  Army."  The  cost  of  transportation  may  be  included  in 
the  check  if  desired. 

The  property  officer  at  one  of  the  Signal  Corps  supply  depots 
will  then  be  directed  to  make  issue,  transportation  charged  col- 
lect or  paid,  as  the  case  may  be. 

The  shipping  officer  will  advise  the  consignee  of  the  ship- 
ment of  the  property,  stating  the  date  of  the  purchase  order. 

The  accountable  officer  will  file  the  shipping  instructions, 
which  will  be  authority  for  dropping  the  article,  as  a  voucher 
to  his  property  return. 

The  disbursing  officer  accounting  for  proceeds  of  these  sales 
will  deposit  the  money  received  to  the  credit  of  the  Treasurer 
of  the  United  States,  the  certificate  of  deposit  to  bear  notation 
of  proper  appropriation.  All  sales  will  be  abstracted  on  War 
Department  Form  No.  322.  This  abstract  will  be  forwarded  as 


92  GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

a  voucher  to  the  account  current  (W.  D.  Form  No.  320)  for  the 
month  in  which  the  sale  was  made.  Signal  Corps  Form  No.  240, 
pertaining  to  this  abstract  of  sales,  will  accompany  the  abstract 
as  vouchers  thereto. 

Officers  in  the  Philippines  desiring  to  make  purchases  may 
submit  Form  No.  240  to  the  department  signal  officer,  Philip- 
pine Department,  Manila,  P.  I.  The  property  will  be  issued 
from  the  Signal  Corps  property  depot  in  Manila  and  the 
money  accounted  for  by  the  Signal  Corps  disbursing  officer  in 
Manila. 

SETTLEMENT    FOR    PROPERTY    TRANSFERRED    BETWEEN     BUREAUS. 

249.  The  transfer  of  public  property  from  one  bureau  or  de- 
partment to  another  is  not  regarded  as  a  sale.     Vouchers  for 
property  so  transferred  will  be  sent  through  the  chief  of  the 
bureau  concerned  to  the  proper  accounting  officer  of  the  Treas- 
ury Department  for  settlement,  as  prescribed  in  paragraph  671, 
Army  Regulations.     If  credit  is  received  therefor,  the  money 
may  be  used  to  replace  the  property  transferred. 

250.  Vouchers  for  services  rendered  or  invoices  of  supplies 
furnished  by  any  department,  bureau,  or  office  to  the  Signal 
Corps,  or  by  the  Signal  Corps  to  any  department,  bureau,  or 
office,  should  be  sent  in  triplicate  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of 
the  Army  for  settlement.     (A.  R.  671.) 

251.  Under  Army   Regulation  671   supplies  will  not  be  fur- 
nished to  another  department,  bureau,  or  office,  except  in  the 
Philippine  and  Hawaiian  Departments,  where  the  authority  of 
the  department  commanders  is  sufficient,  prior  to  the  approval 
of  the  Secretary  of  War.     The  papers  in  the  case  should  be 
forwarded  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  for  such  ap- 
proval.    Invoices  covering  supplies  so  furnished  should  bear 
notation  as  follows : 

These  supplies  should  be  considered  as  property  of  the 

department,    as   reimbursement    therefor    will    be    obtained   by    the 
Signal  Corps. 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    93 

DECISIONS    BY    TREASURY   DEPARTMENT. 

252.  Disbursing  officers,  under  section  8  of  the  act  of  July  31, 
1894  (28  St.it.  208),  can  appeal  to  the  Comptroller  of  the  Treas- 
ury for  decision  as  to  the  legality  of  payment  of  any  account. 
This  section  reads  as  follows ; 

Disbursing  officers,'  or  the  head  of  any  executive  department,  or  other 
establishment  not  under  any  of  the  executive  departments,  may  apply 
for  and  the  Comptroller  of  the  Treasury  shall  render  his  decision  upon 
any  question  involving  a  payment  to  be  made  by  them  or  under  them, 
which  decision,  when  rendered,  shall  govern  the  Auditor  and  the  Comp- 
troller of  the  Treasury  in  passing  upon  the  account  containing  said 
disbursement. 

The  comptroller  in  interpreting  this  statute  decides  that  he  is 
not  authorized  to  render  a  decision  in  advance  of  payment  ex- 
cept when  the  account  which  is  to  be  paid  is  submitted  with 
request  for  decision. 

PURCHASE  OF  ENVELOPES. 

252(1.  Under  General  Order  No.  107,  War  Department,  1911, 
purchase  of  envelopes  from  appropriations  pertaining  to  the 
Signal  Corps  will  be  made  only  by  the  disbursing  officer  of  the 
Signal  Corps,  War  Department,  Washington,  D.  C.  All  such 
purchases  will  be  made  under  contracts  entered  into  by  the 
Postmaster  General  and  will  be  limited  to  those  described  in 
orders  of  the  War  Department. 

No  job  printing  for  envelopes  other  than  those  authorized  by 
paragraph  836,  Army  Regulations,  will  be  allowed,  but  in  order 
to  facilitate  business,  such  inexpensive  rubber  stamps  as  are 
absolutely  necessary  for  use  in  the  event  of  a  change  of  address 
may  be  provided. 


ARTICLE  IV. 
PROPERTY  ACCOUNTABILITY'  AND  RESPONSIBILITY. 

GENERAL   PROVISIONS. 

253.  The  general   regulations   prescribing   property   responsi- 
bility and  accountability  in  the  Army  and  the  proper  procedure 
when  articles  are  lost  or  damaged  are  s-et  forth  in  Army  Regu- 
lations 657-681. 

254.  Property  returns  and  vouchers  thereto  must  be  properly 
briefed  before  forwarding  to  the  Chief   Signal  Officer  of  the 
Army. 

255.  The  various  manuals  of  the  Signal  Corps  should  not  be 
accounted  for  on  property  returns  (see  par.  404). 

256.  Blank  forms  of  the  Signal  Corps  when  sent  out  by  prop- 
erty depots  should  not  be  invoiced  or  accounted  for. 

257.  All   reference  to    Signal   Corps   property   or   equipment 
should,  when  practicable,  conform  to  the  designation  and  title  of 
standard  articles  as  used  in  the  latest  editions  of  Signal  Corps 
price  lists.     All  articles  not  enumerated  therein  should  be  re- 
ferred to  and  accounted  for  as  originally  invoiced. 

258.  Under  repeated  decisions  connected  with  various  para- 
graphs of  the  Army  Regulations,  enlisted  men  in  charge  of  tele- 
graph offices  or  isolated  signal  stations  are  considered  to  be 
acting  as  sergeants  of  the  Signal  Corps  and  will  be  held  ac- 
countable for  public  property  under  Army  Regulation  695.     It 
is  explicitly  stated,  however,  that  neither  officers  of  the  Signal 
Corps  nor  post  signal  officers  are  permitted,  except  under  com- 
petent local  authority,  to  devolve  their  property  accountability 
on  enlisted  men  serving  immediately  under  them. 

259.  When  a  station  is  discontinued,  the  disposition  of  the 
property  will  be  ordered  from  the  office  of  the  Chief  Signal 

94 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.   95 

Officer  of  the  Army  or  department  signal  officer.  The  officer  or 
other  person  in  charge  will  be  held  responsible  that  each  article 
is  properly  disposed  of  as  ordered. 

260.  Articles  of  public  property  issued  to  a  company  for  its 
exclusive  use  will,  when  practicable,  be  marked  with  the  letter 
or  number  of  the  company  and  number  and  arm  of  the  regiment. 
Articles  issued  to  enlisted  men  will  not  be  marked  with  the 
number  of  the  man  in   the   Signal   Corps,  except  the  articles 
issued  to  men  assigned  to  field  companies  of  the  Signal  Corps. 
(Extract  from  A.  R.  295.) 

261.  The  placing  of  any  individual  or  organization  identifica- 
tion marks  on  Signal  Corps  field  glasses  and  telescopes  or  on 
any  portion  of  the  carrying  cases  of  the  same,  except  on  the 
unfinished  side  of  the  carrying  straps,  is  prohibited.     (G.  O., 
No.  51,  W.  D.,  1911.) 

262.  Until  otherwise  directed  by  the  Secretary  of  War,  Signal 
Corps  property  returns  are  to  be  made  on  the  31st  day  of  De- 
cember and  on  the  30th  of  June  of  each  year,  and  all  returns 
for  Signal  Corps  property  begin  and  end  at  those  times,  except 
where,  in  the  case  of  officers,  enlisted  men,  or  others  accountable 
for  property  by  reason  of  transfer,  change  of  station,  or  leaving 
the  service,  it  becomes  necessary  to  close  their  accountability 
at  an  earlier  date.    A  return,  with  all  its  accompanying  papers, 
must   be  forwarded   direct   to   the  office   of  the   Chief   Signal 
Officer,  Washington,  D.  C.,  within  20  days  after  the  termination 
of  the  counting  period,  except  in  the  Philippine  Department, 
where  they  will  be  sent  to  the  department  signal  officer.  Philip- 
pine Department.    Property  returns  from  the  Organized  Militia 
are  rendered  annually  only,  on  December  31. 

263.  All  persons   accountable   for   Signal   Corps  property   in 
more  than  one  capacity  should  render  only  one  return,  to  in- 
clude all  property  received  and  transferred  during  the  account- 
able period.     This  does  not  apply  to  unit  accountability  equip- 
ment issued  to  organizations  of  the  Regular  Army,  which  re- 
quire a  separate  property  return  in  accordance  with  the  pro- 
visions of  General  Orders,  Xo.  43,  War  Department,  1913.     ( See 
par.  292.) 

98483°— 15 7 


96  GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

PBOPERTY   ACCOUNTABILITY   AT    SIGNAL    CORPS    GENERAL   SUPPLY 

DEPOTS. 

264,  (rt)  The  following  regulations  will  hereafter  govern  the 
handling  of  property  accountability  at  the  Signal  Corps  general 
supply  depots  at  Fort  Wood,  Omaha,  and  Fort  Mason : 

(6)  Property  will  be  carried  under  four  classifications,  viz: 
"  Signal  service,"  "  Fire  control,"  "  War  reserve,"  and  "  Depot 
equipment  property,"  and  a  separate  account  rendered  for  each 
classification. 

(c)  A  daily  report  card  (Form  228)  will  be  used  in  report- 
ing issues  and  receipts  of  property  at  Signal  Corps  general  sup- 
ply depots.     The  red  printed  cards  will  be  used  for  fire-control 
property  and  black  printed  cards  for  all  other  property. 

The  daily  report  cards  will  show— 

At  the  top  of  the  card  :  The  serial  number,  name  of  depot,  and  the 
date. 

First  column  :  Names  of  articles. 

Second  column  :  Depot  voucher  number. 

Third  column  :  Number  of  order  or  requisition. 

Fourth   column  :   Received. 

Fifth   column  :   Issued. 

Sixth  column  :  Balance  on  hand,  serviceable. 

Seventh  column  :  Balance  on  hand,  unserviceable,  or  outstanding  on 
memorandum  receipt. 

NOTE. — In  addition  to  the  foregoing,  mark  "  low  stock  "  oppo- 
site such  items  to  which  this  notation  would  apply.  (See  par. 
346.) 

(d)  These  cards  will  be  used  in  reporting  all  changes  what- 
soever in  property  accountability  and  will  be  serially  numbered, 
beginning  at  the  time  of  the  change  of  accountability  and  con- 
tinue in  one  series  for  each  class  of  property,  i.  e.,  fire  control 
or   otherwise,   until   another   change  of   accountability   occurs. 
When   such   a    change   in    accountability   occurs,    the   outgoing 
officer  will  submit  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  an 
inventory  of  property  remaining  on  hand,  this  list  to*  be  made 
up  in  triplicate,  the  duplicate  copy  to  be  signed  and  forwarded 
by  the  receiving  officer  when  he  completes  his  inventory  and 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    97 

the  third  copy  to  be  held  as  the  depot  record.  The  last  entry  of 
old  accountability  on  depot  stock  cards  and  first  entry  of  the 
new  accountability  to  be  separated  by  a  red-ink  'line  drawn 
a  (TOSS  each  card. 

(f-)  All  issues  and  receipts  will  be  reported  as  soon  as  trans- 
actions occur,  irrespective  of  the  manner  in  which  the  material 
is  issued  or  procured.  All  information  called  for  by  headings 
on  daily  report  card  will  be  furnished,  if  available,  but  cards 
shall  not  be  delayed  awaiting  receipt  of  such  information. 
Any  information  not  available  at  the  time  shall  be  shown  on 
cards  as  soon  as  obtained,  making  reference  to  the  serial 
number  of  the  daily  report  card  on  which  the  original  entry 
was  shown. 

The  disbursing  officer  of  the  Signal  Corps  at  Washington 
will  furnish  to  the  property  officers  of  each  general  supply 
depot  a  copy  of  all  purchase  orders  covering  supplies  to  be 
delivered  at  such  depots.  A  record  of  all  supplies  to  be  re- 
ceived under  these  purchase  orders  should  be  kept  on  the  depot 
property  cards. 

Material  received  from  unknown  sources  should  be  imme- 
diately entered  on  daily  report  card,  assigned  a  voucher  num- 
ber, and  "  Unknown "  entered  under  "  Order  or  requisition 
number." 

(/)  Daily  report  cards  will  be  accompanied  whenever  pos- 
sible with  final  authority  for  the  transactions  shown ;  for  in- 
stance, a  copy  of  invoice  for  material  received,  and  a  copy  of 
receipt,  certificate  of  expenditure,  or  inventory  and  inspection 
report  for  material  dropped.  In  cases  where  property  is  issued 
and  invoiced  an  additional  copy  of  Form  67  should  be  made  and 
forwarded  as  a  temporary  voucher. 

All  such  vouchers  forwarded  with  the  daily  report  card 
will  be  listed  on  last  card  for  that  day  following  the  last 
transaction  shown,  notation  to  read  as  follows :  "  Voucher 
Nos.  —  and  •  herewith,  covering  transactions  shown  on 
report  card  of  this  date." 


98  GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

Where  this  final  proof  does  not  accompany  the  daily  report 
card,  same  should  be  submitted  as  soon  as  available,  Wednes- 
day of  each  week  being  set  aside  for  the  forwarding  of  all 
such  delayed  vouchers,  the  following  notation  being  shown  on  a 
regularly  serially  numbered  daily  report  card  bearing  no  other 
entry  :  "  Delayed  vouchers  Nos.  -  —  herewith,  covering  property 
shown  on  D.  R.  C.  Nos.  -  — ." 

(g)  Invoices  should  not  be  sent  in  for  property  received 
direct  by  purchase  of  disbursing  officers.  Form  29  will  in  such 
cases  be  accomplished  in  duplicate,  one  copy  being  retained  by 
the  property  officer  ami  the  other  copy  returned  direct  to  the 
disbursing  officer  making  the  purchase.  The  disbursing  officer's 
order  number  should,  if  known,  be  shown  on  the  daily  report 
card  against  the  item  received. 

Where  property  is  purchased  by  the  property  officers  the  nota- 
tion "  Purchased "  will  be  entered  on  the  daily  report  card 
reporting  the  receipt  of  the  material,  except  that  material  pur- 
chased by  property  officers  for  immediate  issue  on  manifests 
may  not  be  shown  on  the  daily  report  card.  Such  material 
should,  however,  be  invoiced  by  the  property  officer  on  Form  29 
and  accounted  for  on  "Abstract  of  Articles  Purchased  and  Paid 
For"  (Form  9).  This  exception  would  not  apply  where,  in  addi- 
tion to  material  purchased  for  immediate  supply  on  a  manifest, 
the  stock  in  the  depot  was  replenished. 
(//)  The  stock  cards  at  depot  will  show- 

At  the  top  of  the  card  :  The  name  of  the  article. 

The  first  column  :  The  date. 

The  second  column  :  Order  or  requisition  number. 

The  third  column  :  Depot  voucher  number. 

The  fourth  column  :  Daily  report  card  number. 

The   fifth    column  :    Name   of   person    from   whom    received   or   to 
whom  issued. 

The  sixth  column  :  Received. 

The  seventh   column  :   Issued. 

The  eighth  column  :  Balance  serviceable. 

The  ninth  column  :  Unserviceable. 

(*)  It  will  not  be  considered  essential  for  the  property  officer 
to  sign  the  daily  report  cards. 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    99 

(;)  There  should  be  on  the  shelf  with  the  stock  of  each  par- 
ticular item  a  card  identical  with  the  one  filed  in  the  office  of 
the  property  depot,  all  transactions  to  be  shown  on  both  cards 
and  the  net  amount  of  both  cards  at  all  times  to  be  identical. 

265.  Property  received  at  a  depot  from  a  post  will  be  taken 
up  cither  as  "  Fire  control "  or  "  Signal  service,"  as  follows : 

(a)  All  property  received  from  Coast  Artillery  posts,  except 
unit  accountability  equipment  from  organizations,  will  be  con- 
sidered "Fire  control." 

(&)  All  unit  accountability  equipment  received  from  organi- 
zations and  all  property  received  from  other  than  Coast  Artillery 
posts  will  be  considered  "  Signal  service." 

(c)  All  property  received  from  purchase  will  be  taken  up  as 
indicated    on    the   purchasing   officer's   purchase   order,    which 
should  show  whether  property  is  to  be  taken  up  in  fire-control 
or  signal-service  stock. 

(d)  Transfers   between  property  depots   will   show  whether 

property  is  "S.  C."  (signal  service)  or  "  F.  C."  (fire  control). 

PROPERTY    RETURNS. 

266.  Signal    Corps   property    returns,   where   the   number   of 
items  does  not  exceed  25,  should  be  rendered  on  Form  66.    All 
larger  returns  will  be  rendered  on  Forms  31a,  31b,  (original  and 
duplicate),  and  31c,  according  to  the  detailed  instructions  on 
the   back   of   Form   31a.     Requisitions  for   these  blank   forms 
should  be  forwarded  to  the  property  officer,  Fort  Wood,  New 
York  Harbor,  in  quantities  as  follows : 

31a  and  31c,  one  copy  for  each  return. 

31b,  original  (white),  one  copy  for  each  item. 

31b,  duplicate  (blue),  one  copy  for  each  item. 

267.  The  unit  accountability  equipment  of  the  various  organi- 
zations, consisting  of  the  articles  prescribed  in  the  unit  account' 
ability  equipment  manuals  for  the  authorized  strength,  will  be 
accounted  for  by  organization  commanders  on  returns   (Form 
No.  451,  A.  G.  O.)  to  be  rendered  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of 
the  Army  on  June  30  and  December  31  of  each  year.     (G.  O., 
43,  W.  D.,  1913.) 


100    GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

268.  Should  an  officer  or  agent  of  the  Government  charged 
with    public    property    fail    to    render    the   prescribed    returns 
thereof  within  a  reasonable  time,  a  settlement  of  his  account 
will  be  made  by  the  proper  bureau  of  the  War  Department,  and 
the  money  value  of  the  property  with  which  he  is  charged  will 
be  reported  against  him  for  stoppage. 

269.  When  an  inspector  recommends  that  certain  articles  of 
Signal  Corps  property  be  turned  into  a  depot  for  repairs,  the 
accountable  officer  will  report  such  fact  to  the  department  sig- 
nal officer  and  await  instructions  as  to  the  disposition  of  the 
same. 

270.  Material  or  equipment  shipped  to  depots  of  the  Signal 
Corps  for  repairs  should  be  transferred  by  invoice  and  receipt 
in  the  regular  way. 

271.  Transfer  of  any  article  of  Government  property  will  not 
be  made  from  one  office  to  another  without  specific  authority 
from  the  proper  officer ;  nor  will  articles  of  Government  prop- 
erty be  sold   or  otherwise  disposed  of,  except  as  provided  by 
regulations  of  the  service  and  specific  instructions  from  proper 
authority.     (See  pars.  302-303.) 

272.  Public  property  and  labor  hired  for  public  use  will  not  be 
diverted  to  any  use  whatsoever  not  authorized  by  the  regula- 
tions of  the  service. 

273.  Articles  of  like  name  but  of  different  pattern  will  not  be 
combined.     Thus,  20-ohm,  4-ohm,  and  main-line  sounders  must 
not  be  carried  as  so  many  "  sounders,"  but  the  total  of  each  will 
be  carried  under  its  appropriate  heading. 

Complete  radio  pack  sets  should  be  designated  on  shipping 
manifests,  invoices,  and  property  returns  as  "  Radio  pack  sets, 

complete."    Each  complete  set  consists  of  the  following  units : 

1  operating  chest  (year). 

1  mast   (type). 

1  hand  generator  (year). 

1  pack  frames,  set  (3  frames). 

1  tent. 

The  component  parts  of  each  of  the  above  units  will  be  found 
enumerated  in  the  Signal  Corps  Circular  No.  4,  July  20,  1915. 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBUBSItfCf  •ItBQlftA^IONS. 


Incomplete  sets  carried  on  property  returns  will  not  be  desig- 
nated as  such,  but  will  be  carried  under  the  unit  headings  given 
above.  Incomplete  units  will  be  carried  under  component  parts. 

274.  The  official  numbers  of  field  glasses,  telescopes,   rented 
telephones,  cable  reels,  and  instruments  bearing  official  serial 
numbers  must  in  all  cases  be  shown  on  returns,  invoices,  and 
receipts.     This  will  not  include  Signal  Corps  telephones,  pack 
chests,   telegraph   keys,   inspectors'   pocket  kits,   acetylene  lan- 
terns,  megaphones,   breast   reels,   hand   reels-,   pay-out  handles, 
telegraph  relays,  and  telegraph  sounders.    Bicycles,  typewriters, 
etc.,  should  be  carried  on  returns  and  invoiced  and  receipted 
for  by  reference  to  manufacturer's  serial  numbers. 

275.  When  invoicing  Signal  Corps  property  the  invoicing  offi- 
cer will  enter  a  serial  voucher  number  on  both  of  the  invoices 
and  receipts  sent  to  the  receiving  officer.     The  invoicing  officer 
will  use  this  number  in  dropping  the  property  from  his  return. 
The  receiving  officer  will  indicate  on  the  receipts  returned  to  the 
invoicing  officer  the  voucher  number  by  which  the  property  will 
be  accounted  for  on  his  return. 

276.  Property  received  on  a  disbursing  officer's  Form  No.  29 
will  be  accounted  for  on  the  property  return  under  the  disburs- 
ing officer's  voucher  number,  the  consignee's  voucher  number 
also  being  shown,  in  the  following  manner   -jf^   (the  smaller 
number  represents  consignee's  voucher  and  the  larger  number 
the  disbursing  officer's  voucher). 

277.  All  articles  on  Signal  Corps  property  returns  must  be  ar- 
ranged in  alphabetical  order.     Photographic  supplies,  bicycles 
and  parts  for  same,  typewriters  and.  parts  for  same,  telephones 
and  parts  for   same,   etc.,   should  be  included  in   alphabetical 
order  and  not  under  subheadings. 

278.  In  cases  where  a  complete  transfer  of  property  occurs, 
instead  of  exchanging  separate  invoices  and  receipts,  the  re- 
ceiving officer  may  make  direct  entry  on  the  final  return  (both 
original  and  duplicate)  of  his  predecessor  that  all  the  property 
thereon  enumerated  as  on  hand  and  transferred  to  successor  was 
received  by  him.     The  transferring  officer  may  make  similar 
entry  on  the  return  of  his  successor,  stating  that  all  the  stores 


102    GENEBAi  J»1M)PJSRTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

there  taken  up  as  received,  from  sucli  predecessor  were  actually 
turned,  over  by  him. 

279.  Retained  property  returns  and.  vouchers  thereto  will  not 
be  shipped  from  place  to  place  at  public  expense,  but  will  be 
maintained,  and  disposed  of  as  provided  in  General  Orders  71, 
War  Department,  1914. 

280.  When  it  is  not 'possible  to  render  a  return  within  the 
limits  of  time  prescribed,   owing  to  the  nonreceipt  of  certain 
vouchers,  the  return  itself  must  not  be  held,  but  should  be  mailed 
to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer,  with  a  letter  stating  what  vouchers 
are  missing,  with  reason  therefor,  said  missing  vouchers  to  be 
forwarded  later  when  received. 

281.  Officers   and    others    accountable   should    verify,    by    an 
actual  count,  all  the  articles  on  hand  at  the  time  the  property 
return  is  made. 

282.  All  property  received  must  be  taken  up  on  the  returns, 
whether  invoiced  or  not,  except  forms,  manuals,  and  stationery. 
Should  any  article  of  property  be  received,  either  by  purchase 
or   otherwise,   and  not  included  in   invoices,   special   attention 
should  be  called  to  the  fact  by  letter. 

283.  When  fin  officer  to  whom  stores  have  been  forwarded  be- 
lieves them  to  have  miscarried,   he  will  promptly  inform  the 
issuing  and  forwarding  officers. 

284.  If  an  officer  to  whom  public  property  has  been  trans- 
ferred fails  to  receipt  for  it  within  a  reasonable  time,  the  in- 
voicing officer  will  report  the  facts  through  channels  to  the  com- 
manding officer  of  the  former  for  action.     Copies  of  all  papers 
relating  to  the  transaction  will  be  filed  with  his  returns.     (A.  R. 
667.) 

285.  Upon  the  receipt  of  public  property  by  an  officer  he  will 
make  careful  examination  to  ascertain  its  quality  and  condi- 
tion, but  will  not  break  original  packages  until  issues  are  to  be 
made,   unless  he  has  reason  to  believe  the  contents  defective. 
Should  he  discover  defect  or  shortage,  he  will  apply  for  a  sur- 
vey to  determine  it  and  fix  the  responsibility.     Should  he  con- 
sider the  property  unfit  for  use,  he  will  submit  inventories  in 
duplicate  and  request  the  action  of  an  inspector.    The  same  rule 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.     103 

will  be  observed  in  regard  to  packages  when  first  opened  for 
issue  and  for  property  damaged  or  missing  while  in  store. 
(A.  R.  068.) 

286.  When  packages  of  supplies  are  opened  for  the  first  time, 
whether  because  of  apparent  defect  or  for  issue,  the  officer  re- 
sponsible, or  some  other  commissioned  officer,  will  be  present 
and  verify  the  contents  by  actual  weight,  count,  or  measure- 
ment, as  circumstances  may  require,  and  in  the  case  of  deficiency 
or  damage  will  make  written  report  of  the  facts  to  the  post 
commander.    If  only  the  officer  responsible  be  present  and  make 
the  report,  he  will  secure  the  sworn  statements  in  writing  of  one 
or  more  civilians  or  enlisted  men  regarding  the  condition  of  the 
property  when  examined.     Should  a  survey  be  ordered,  the  post 
commander  will  refer  to  the  surveying  officer  the  report  made 
by  the  examining  officer,  together  with  the  sworn  statements. 
At  arsenals  and  depots  where  there  are  persons  whose  special 
duty  it  is  to  receive  and  issue  public  stores  the  reports  herein 
required  may  be  made  by  them  instead  of  officers  of  the  Army. 
(A.  R.  669.) 

287.  Enlisted  men  of  the  Signal  Corps  at  military  posts  becom- 
ing  responsible   for   public   property   when    stores   or   supplies 
shipped   to   them    are   received   in   unserviceable   condition,   or 
when  deficient  in  number  and  quality,  shall  examine  them  in 
the  presence  of  witnesses,  as  per  Army  Regulation  669.    In  case 
of  damage  or  deficiency  appearing  they  will  then  apply  in  writ- 
ing to  their  immediate  commanding  officer  for  survey  to  deter- 
mine the  responsibility  for  injury  or  loss  occurring.     Enlisted 
men  of  the  Signal  Corps  serving  at  isolated  stations  will,  under 
similar  circumstances,  make  immediate  report  in  detail  of  the 
facts  to  their  immediate  commanding  officers  and  ask  that  ap- 
propriate action  may  be  taken. 

288.  All  public  property,  whether  paid  for  or  not,  must  be 
accounted  for  on  the  proper  returns.     All  public  property  un- 
accounted for,  when  discovered  by  an  accountable  officer,  will. 
be  taken  up  and  the  usual  returns  rendered  therefor.     When 
discovered  by  officers  not  accountable  for  that  class  of  property 
or  by  enlisted  men  or  civilian  employees,  they  shall  report  the 


104    GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

same  as  soon  as  practicable  to  an  officer  so  accountable,  who 
will  take  it  up  and  account  for  it.  In  the  absence  of  such  an 
accountable  officer  the  senior  officer,  enlisted  man,  or  civilian 
employee  present  will  take  charge  of  such  property  and  report 
it  to  the  commander  of  the  department  wherein  it  may  be 
located,  with  a  view  to  its  proper  disposition.  (A.  R.  693.) 

289.  Officers  in  charge  of  military  telegraph  lines  will  account 
for  all  property  at  their  stations  and  for  all  sections  of  line  (in 
miles)   radiating  therefrom. 

They  will  designate  the  several  repair  sections  on  the  lines 
under  their  charge.  They  will  be  accountable  for  all  property 
pertaining  to  the  section,  issuing  station  equipment  on  memo- 
randum receipt  to  the  noncommissioned  officer  in  charge  of  the 
station. 

290.  When  an  officer,  enlisted  man,  or  other  employee  having 
Signal  Corps  property  in  his  possession,  or  being  accountable 
therefor,   leaves  the   service  of  the  United   States,   final  pay- 
ment will  not  be  made  to  such  officer,  enlisted  man,  or  other 
employee  until  full  and  satisfactory  evidence  is  furnished  that 
the  property  with  which  he  may  have  been  intrusted  has  been 
duly  accounted  for. 

291.  Civilians  when  severing  connection  with  the  Signal  Corps 
must  satisfactorily  account  for  all  Signal  Corps  property  and 
any  money  which  may  have  been  intrusted  to  them. 

Property  accountability  should  be  cleared  by  delivering  or 
shipping  all  property  to  some  Signal  Corps  representative, 
at  the  same  time  forwarding  invoices  and  receipts.  Accom- 
plished receipts  should  be  obtained  as  soon  as  possible  and 
forwarded  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army,  with  a 
property  return  covering  the  period  ending  at  the  time  of 
resignation. 

In  the  case  of  property  lost,  stolen,  or  destroyed  proper  cer- 
tificate or  report  of  survey,  as  per  paragraph  306,  should  ac- 
company property  return  as  a  voucher  for  dropping  the  items. 
Property  expended  should  be  dropped  from  return  on  certificate 
of  expenditure.  (Par.  318.) 


GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    105 

In  the  absence  of  instructions  from  the  signal  officer  of  the 
department,  all  manuals,  drawings,  etc.,  which  are  not  shown 
on  property  accountability  should  be  forwarded  to  the  Chief 
Signal  Officer  of  the  Army. 

292.  In  order  to  reduce  to  a  minimum  the  clerical  work  at  the 
office  of  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  incident  to  the 
examination  of  property  returns,  the  post  signal  officer  shall  be 
accountable  for  all  Signal  Corps  property,  other  than  unit  ac- 
countability equipment  in  the  hands  of  organizations,  at  a  mili- 
tary post  or  station.    Should  another  officer  desire  to  retain  cer- 
tain articles  of  Signal  Corps  property  for  official  use,  he  may  be 
authorized  to  obtain  them  from  the  post  signal  officer  on  memo- 
randum receipt.    The  artillery  engineer  will  be  accountable  for 
all  Signal  Corps  property  in  a  coast  defense.     These  instruc- 
tions, however,  do  not  apply  to  signal  officers  of  departments,  to 
enlisted  men  of  the  Signal  Corps  on  duty  at  stations  where  there 
is  a   military  telegraph  office,  nor  to  the  unit  accountability 
equipment  issued  under  the  provisions  of  General   Order  No. 
43,  War  Department,  1913. 

293.  Letters  of  transmittal  are  not  required  in  forwarding 
property  returns  unless  there  is  some  particular  fact  relative 
to  the  papers  to  which  it  is  desired  to  specially  invite  attention. 

294.  Where  errors  are  found  during  the  examination  of  prop- 
erty returns  at  the  office  of  the  Chief   Signal   Officer  of  the 
Army,    the   accountable    officer    will    be   immediately    notified 
thereof,  and  where  practicable  subsequent  correspondence  will 
be  by  indorsement  on  the  original  communication.     In  connec- 
tion with  discrepancies,  a  new  return  will  not  be  rendered  unless 
specially  called  for,  as  it  necessitates  the  reexamination  and 
checking  of  each  item  on  the  new  return. 

295.  All  persons  accountable  for  Signal  Corps  property  will 
refrain  from  shipping  to  any   Signal  Corps  supply  depot  any 
property   which   is   unquestionably   beyond    repair   or   can   no 
longer  be  used  for  the  purpose  originally  intended.     Such  mate- 
rial, except  as  otherwise  indicated  in  paragraphs  303  to  308  and 
318  to  327,  should  be  submitted  to  the  action  of  a  surveying 
officer  or  an  inspector,  in  accordance  with  existing  regulations. 


106    GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

296.  To  save  time  and  space,  a  few  articles  of  Signal  Corps 
property  are  invoiced  as  "complete."     (See  par.  273.)     Officers, 
enlisted  men  of  the  Signal  Corps,  and  other  persons  receiving 
such  articles  should  satisfy  themselves  that  all  the  parts  which 
go   to   make  up  the  whole  are  present  before   signing  receipt 
therefor.     When  any  parts  are  missing  a  memorandum  should 
be  made  on  the  receipt  specifying  such  parts  as  are  missing  in 
order  to  relieve  receiving  officer  from  responsibility. 

297.  When  invoicing  standard  packages  of  equipment  which 
are  incomplete  through  loss  of  parts  or  damage  thereto,  a  state- 
ment in  detail  will  be  made  upon  the  invoice  of  the  articles 
short  from  each  chest,  bag,  kit,  or  other  piece  of  equipment. 

298.  Signal  Corps  property  received  for  use  at  encampments 
and  maneuvers  of  the  Organized  Militia  will  not  be  accounted 
for  separately  on  property  returns  unless  so  directed  at  the  time 

of  issue. 

299.  In  adjusting  accounts  pertaining  to  Signal  Corps  property 

no  notice  will  be  taken  of  omissions  or  errors  where  the  money 
value  thereof  does  not  exceed  25  cents.  This  ruling  is  to  save 
expense  attending  correspondence,  etc. 

300.  Property  worn  out  by  fair  wear  and  tear  in  the  service 
which  has  no  salable  value  may  be  submitted  to  a   surveying 
officer  and  destroyed  as  provided  for  in  Army  Regulation  717  or 
placed  before  an  inspector  without  prior  action  of  a  surveying 
officer.     Property  worn  out  by  fair  wear  and  tear  which  pre- 
sumably has  some  salable  value  will  be  submitted  to  an  inspector 
without  prior  action  of  a  surveying  officer.     Property  damaged 
other  than  by  fair  wear  and  tear  in  the  service  will  not  be 
placed  before  an  inspector  without  prior  action  of  a  surveying 
officer.     The  proper  procedure  to  obtain  a  survey  or  to  place 
articles  before  an  inspector  is  set  forth  in  Army  Regulations  710 
to  726  and  Army  Regulations  903  to  914. 

301.  In  case  of  articles  lost  and  damaged  in  transportation, 
proceed  as  prescribed  in  Army  Regulations  721  and  1141. 

302.  When  any  article  of  public  property  not  of  an  expendable 
nature,  for  which  any  officer  or  other  person  is  responsible,  be- 
comes unfit  for  service  from  any  cause  whatever  and  is  not  worth 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.     107 

expense  of  repair,  he  will  report  the  facts  in  the  rase  and  sub- 
mit the  articles  for  action  to  the  inspector  first  visiting  the 
station,  excepting  telescopes,  field  glasses,  heliographs,  and 
telephones.  (See  A.  R.,  1566.)  An  approved  copy  of  the  in- 
ventory and  inspection  report  must  accompany  the  return 
rendered  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  on  which  the 
property  is  dropped.  (See  par.  308.) 

303.  Telescopes,  field  glasses,  telephones,  and  expensive  elec- 
trical apparatus  of  the  Signal  Corps  when  unserviceable  will 
not   be  submitted   to   an   inspector   for   condemnation   without 
previous  authority   of   the   Chief   Signal    Officer   of   the   Army. 
(A.  R.,  1566.)      Whenever  such  instruments-  are  unserviceable 
a  report  should  be  made  to  the  signal  officer  of  the  department, 
except  as  provided  in  paragraph  305,  stating  the  nature  of  the 
unserviceability  and  whether  the  article  can  be  repaired  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  post  and  the  probable  cost  of  repairing.    'The 
department  signal  officer  will  then  forward  the  communication 
to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  with  recommendation. 
(See  par.  308.) 

304.  Telescopes,  telephones,  and  expensive  apparatus  of  the 
Signal    Corps   in   the   Philippine   and   Hawaiian    Departments, 
when    unserviceable,    may   be    submitted   to    the   action   of   an 
inspector  for  condemnation  by  and  with  the  authority  of  the 
respective    department    signal    officers,    when   in    their    opinion 
such  action  seems  desirable  in  the  best  interests  of  the  service. 
(1883612  and  2039476,  A.  G.  O.) 

305.  Field  glasses  pertaining  to  the  unit  equipment,  when  un- 
serviceable,  should  be  turned  over  to  the  local   supply  officer 
who  will,  if  the  glasses  are  beyond  local  repair,  invoice  and  for- 
ward them  by  registered  mail  to  the  Property  Officer,   Signal 
Corps  General  Supply  Depot,  Fort  Wood,  N.  Y. 

All  other  glasses,  when  unserviceable,  should  be  reported  to 
the  department  signal  officer  as  contemplated  by  paragraph  303. 

No  field  glasses  of  standard  types  should  ~be  condemned  or  sold 
at  posts  or  depots,  except  at  the  Signal  Corps  general  supply 
depot  at  Fort  Wood,  N.  T. 


108      GENERAL  PEOPEETY  AND  DISBURSING  EEGULATIONS. 

Authority  should  be  obtained  to  ship  and  invoice  all  such 
glasses  when  unserviceable  beyond  local  repair  to  the  property 
officer  at  Fort  Wood. 

306.  (a)   When  an  enlisted  man  has  been  adjudged  respon- 
sible for  the  loss  or  destruction  of  public  property,  the  officer 
accountable  for  the  property  will   send  with  his  property  re- 
turn a  certified  copy  of  so  much  of  the  survey  or  other  pro- 
ceedings as  refers  to  the  case,  giving  number,  date,  and  place  of 
issue  of  the  order,  and  stating  on  the  face  of  said  copy  the 
rolls  on  which  charges  are  made.     In  case  of  items  of  unit  ac- 
countability equipment,  Signal  Corps  Form  No.  70,  "  Statement 
of  charges,"  is  sufficient  as  a  voucher  to  the  return. 

(&)  Articles  (expendable  or  unexpendable)  lost,  stolen,  or 
destroyed,  when  the  aggregate  value  does  not  exceed  $5,  should 
not  be  entered  on  the  certificate  of  expenditure,  but  should  be 
covered  by  a  special  certificate  (Form  56)  setting  forth  the 
facts  in  the  case.  This  certificate,  when  approved  by  the  com- 
manding officer  under  whom  the  accountable  officer  is  serving, 
will  be  a  proper  voucher  for  file  with  the  property  return.  A 
survey  must  be  had  when  stores  lost,  stolen,  or  destroyed  exceed 
$5  in  value,  except  that  certain  specified  items  of  Signal  Corps 
equipment  issued  to  Signal  Corps  companies  and  to  organiza- 
tions of  the  line  may  also  be  expended  and  dropped  under  the 
provisions  of  General  Orders  of  the  War  Department. 

307.  An  officer  or  other  person  whom  a  survey  officer  or  other 
competent  authority  has  adjudged  responsible  for  the  loss,  de- 
struction,  or  shortage  of  any  article  or  parts  of  articles  01 
Signal   Corps   property   will   be   required   to  cover   the   money 
value  thereof  into  the  United  States  Treasury  before  a  clear- 
ance will  be  furnished.    This  may  be  done  either  by  forwarding 
the  money  to  the  disbursing  officer  of  the  Signal  Corps,  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.,  who  will  deposit  the  money  on  account  of  the 
responsible  officer,  or  the  money  may  be  deposited  in  some  Gov- 
ernment depositary  on  account  of  refundment  for 

(lost) property  to  the  credit  of  appropriation  "  Re- 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.     109 

placing  Signal  Corps  supplies  and  equipment  19__.  19 "   (giv 

ing  the  current  and  the  next  fiscal  year  in  which  the  collection 
or  deposit  is  made.  In  the  event  of  deposit  being  made  by  the 
officer  or  person  held  responsible  an  account  current  must  be 
rendered  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  for  examina- 
tion and  transmission  to  the  accounting  officer  of  the  Treasury 
Department. 

308.  The  following-mentioned  property  will  not  be  presented 
for  the  action  of  an  inspector  without  the  authority  of  the 
Secretary  of  War : 

Electrical  and  mechanical  installations  and  appliances  fur- 
nished to  the  Coast  Artillery  Corps  by  the  Engineer  Department, 
the  Signal  Corps,  or  the  torpedo  depot,  and  forming  part  of  the 
permanent  seacoast  defenses,  including  submarine  mine  cable, 
but  not  including  supplies  such  as  wiring,  tools,  clamps,  and 
battery  fluid,  fragile  articles  like  battery  cells  or  jars  and 
carboys,  or  spare  parts  and  accessories  not  essential  to  the 
operation  of  the  installation,  such  as  battery  syringes  and 
hydrometers. 

All  of  the  copies  of  the  inventory  and  inspection  report  on 
such  property  will  be  forwarded  by  the  department  commander 
directly  to  the  chief  of  the  bureau  concerned  for  final  action 
by  the  Secretary  of  War.  (A.  R.  913.) 

PHILIPPINE    RETURNS. 

309.  All  signal  property  shipped  from  the  United  States  to  the 
Philippine  Islands  will  be  invoiced  to  the  "  Property  officer,  Sig- 
nal Corps,  U.  S.  Army."  Manila,  P.  I.,  the  shipping  instructions 
being  shown  on  the  face  of  invoice. 

Property  returns  rendered  in  the  Philippine  Islands  by  civilian 
employees  and  enlisted  men  of  the  Signal  Corps  will  receive 
final  examination  in  the  office  of  the  department  signal  officer, 
Philippines  Department,  and  after  settlement  will  be  filed  in 
that  office,  The  property  returns  of  all  officers,  except  the 


110    GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

property  officer  at  Manila,  will  be  checked  against  the  others 
in  the  department  and  forwarded  to  the  office  of  the  Chief 
Signal  Officer  of  the  Army.  The  return  of  the  property  officer 
at  Manila  may  be  held  until  all  property  issued  to  civilian, 
employees  or  enlisted  men  throughout  the  department  is 
checked ;  but  in  order  that  the  examination  of  property  returns 
at  the  office  of  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  be  not 
delayed  a  memorandum  abstract,  showing  the  property  trans- 
ferred to  and  from  officers  in  the  United  States,  will  be  for- 
warded to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army. 

310.  The  accounting  for  Signal  Corps  property,  as  examined 
in  the  office  of  the  chief  signal  officer,  Philippines  Department, 
will  be  regarded  as  a  clearance  of  accountability  only  for  such 
items  as  have  been  taken  up  and  properly  accounted  for.     (Ap- 
proved by  Secretary  of  War  Jan.  6,  1906.) 

AMERICAN     BELL    RENTED     TELEPHONES. 

311.  Telephones   and   transmitters   on    life    rental    from    the 
American  Bell  Telephone  Co.  will,  when  unserviceable,  be  sent 
in  from  Signal  Corps  depots  in  numbers  of  not  less  than  six 
through  the  Quartermaster's  Department  to  the  American  Bell 
Telephone  Co.,  care  of  the  Western  Electric  Co.,  No.  463  West 
Street,  New  York  City,  notification  of  the  shipment  and  list  of 
serial  numbers  of  instruments  being  furnished   to  the   Chief 
Signal  Officer  of  the  Army. 

312.  Unserviceable  rented  American  Bell  telephones  at  posts 
should  be  shipped  to  the  nearest  Signal  Corps  general  supply 
depot.     Officers  in  charge  of  the  supply  depots  should  return 
these  unserviceable  telephones  to  the  owners  without  applying 
to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  for  authority. 

313.  Under  date  of  March  30, 1906,  the  president  of  the  Ameri- 
can  Telephone   &   Telegraph    Co.    informed    the   Chief    Signal 
Officer  of  the  Army  that  in  returning  unserviceable  rented  Bell 
telephones  it  is  only  necessary  to  return  transmitters  and  re- 
ceivers.    (File  No.  16302-2.)    Backboards  and  magnetos  may  be 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.     Ill 

broken  up.  The  return  of  unserviceable  American  Bell  trans- 
mitters and  receivers  does  not  require  the  action  of  an  inspector 
general. 

314.  All  transmitters  and  receivers  furnished  by  the  American 
Bell  Telephone  Co.  to  this  service  are  their  property,  and  are 
held  by  the  Signal  Corps  under  life  rental  upon  the  following 
conditions : 

For  use  of  the  United  States  Signal  Service  only,  and  not  to  be  used 
in  connection  with  lines,  instruments,  or  service  of  other  parties. 

315.  Serviceable   transmitters   and   receivers  from   American 
Bell  telephones  may  be  changed  to  other  American  Bell  tele- 
phones, thereby  making  the  latter  serviceable,  but  these  parts 
must  not  be  mounted  on  any  telephones  of  independent  manu- 
facture. 

316.  The  manufacturer's  serial  numbers  of  transmitters  and 
receivers  of  American  Bell  rented  telephones  must  be  entered 
on  property  returns  in  red  ink,  or  in  case  of  a  considerable 
number  of  these  telephones  a  statement  should  accompany  the 
property  return,  giving  the  serial  numbers. 

TYPEWRITERS. 

317.  Under  general  deficiency  appropriation  act  of  March  4, 
1915,  the  Signal  Corps  is  authorized  to  exchange  typewriters, 
adding  machines,  and  other  similar  labor-saving  devices  in  part 
payment  for  new  machines  used  for  the  same  purpose  as  those 
proposed  to  be  exchanged.    Typewriters  must  not  be  exchanged 
prior  to  obtaining  the  approval  of  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of 
the  Army. 

When  a  typewriter  becomes  unserviceable  to  such  an  extent 
that  it  can  not  be  repaired  locally  for  $15  or  less,  the  responsible 
officer  should  report  the  fact  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the 
Army,  giving  the  name  of  the  maker  and  the  serial  number  of 
the  typewriter,  together  with  a  statement  of  the  necessary 
repairs. 

98483° — 15— -8 


112    GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

EXPENDABLE   PROPERTY. 

318.  All  articles  of  Signal  Corps  property  enumerated  in  the 
classifications  below,  when  received,  must  be  accounted  for  on 
property   returns,   but   ivhen   consumed   may  be   dropped   upon 
proper  certificate  of  expenditure.     (Form  No.  55.) 

Classifications  as  follows: 

Insulating  and  splicing  materials. 

Outside  line  material  when  used  in  repairs. 

Inside  wiring  material. 

Photographic  chemicals,  papers,  plates,  and  films. 

Articles  of  stationery,  except  steel  erasers,  ink  wells,  muci- 
lage cups,  and  rulers. 

Dry  batteries  and  renewals  for  batteries  of  any  type  when 
installed. 

Spare  parts  for  any  instrument  or  machine  when  installed  or 
used  in  repairs; 

Fuses  below  65  amperes  capacity.     (See  par.  324.) 

Articles,  such  as  oils,  soap,  acids,  paint,  etc.,  which  it  is  evi- 
dent are  supplied  to  be  consumed. 

Cable  when  used  for  inside  wiring. 

Molding,  hinges,  hasps,  locks,  etc.,  when  installed  as  part  of 
permanent  fixtures. 

D.  S.  sounding  shots  and  glass  tubes-  for  Thompson  machine. 

Hack-saw  blades,  nails,  screws,  etc. 

Porcelain  strips. 

319.  These   certificates   of   expenditure   will   be   accepted   as 
proper    vouchers   only  when   tlie   articles   have   actually    been 
consumed    and   the    voucher   approved,    as   provided    in   para- 
graph 327,  except  that  certain  specified  items  of  Signal  Corps 
equipment  issued  to  Signal  Corps  companies  and  to  organiza- 
tions of  the  line  may  also  be  expended  and  dropped  under  the 
provisions  of  General  Orders  of  the  War  Department. 

320.  Battery   cells   and  jars,   connectors,   push   buttons,   etc., 
when  taken  from  stock  and  placed  in  a  circuit  are  not  con- 
sidered as  expended,  as  they  are  then  merely  performing  the 
purpose  for  which  they  were  furnished,  and  they  will  not  be 
dropped  from  returns  unless  broken  or  absolutely  unserviceable. 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    113 

321.  Poles,  wire,  insulators,  and  other  telegraph-line  rnaterinl 
when  used  in  the  construction  of  a  line  may  he  dropped;  but 
such  line  must  in  all  cases  appear  on  the  return  in  miles  and 
fractions  or   in   feet.     When    the   line   is   shortened   or    taken 
down,  the  material  recovered  must  be  again  taken  up  and  ac- 
counted for.     Open  wires  on  poles  will  be  accounted  for  as  the 
total  of  all  wires  in  miles.     Subterranean  and  submarine  cable 
will  be  carried  on  returns  as  cable. 

322.  Parts  of  machinery,  etc.,  which  have  been  replaced  by 
new   parts  must   be   continued   on   property   returns   until   in- 
spected and  condemned. 

323.  It  has  been  decided  that  short  lengths  of  cable  extending 
from  the  cut-out  cabinet  and  forming  part  of  the  battery  wiring, 
or  similar  short  lengths  of  cable  installed  within  the  switch- 
board room,  will  be  considered  "inside  wiring"  and  may  be 
expended  as  such. 

324.  All  fuses  of  the  inclosed  cartridge  type  of  all  makes  and 
of  capacities  above  65  amperes  should  not  be  destroyed  when 
burned  out  in  service,  but  should  be  collected  and  shipped  to 
the  property  officer,   Fort  Wood,   N.   Y.,   at  the  expiration  of 
every  six  months.     It  is  designed  to  have  these  fuses  refilled 
with  fuse  wire  and  indicating  charges.     Overseers  of  construc- 
tion and  Signal  Corps  storekeepers  shall  exercise  care  in  seeing 
that  these  fuses  are  properly  collected  and  that  shipment  is 
made  as  directed  above. 

325.  Cable  ends. — All  pieces  of  lead  pipe  cut  off  from  lead- 
covered  cable  ends  in  construction  work  will  be  saved.     These 
pieces  will  be  turned  in  to  the  Signal  Corps  storekeeper  or  post 
signal  officer.     Upon  completion  of  the  installation  this  junk 
lead  will  be  taken  up  by  weight  on  the  papers  of  the  store- 
keeper or  signal  officer  with  other  Signal  Corps  property.     The 
report  of  the  civilian  engineer  or  assistant  in  charge  of  the 
work  should  show  the  amount  of  junk  lead  thus  turned  in. 

326.  Station  record  letter  books,  such  as  letters  sent,  copying, 
check  ledgers,  etc.,  as  soon  as  they  are  opened  and  put  to  use 
can  be  dropped  from  property  returns  on  certificate  of  expendi- 


114    GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

ture  as  "used  in  service."    Check  ledgers  when  filled  should  be 
kept  for  reference. 

327.  Enlisted  men  of  the  Signal  Corps  who  are  accountable 
for  Signal  Corps  property,  serving  at  coast  defense  posts  where 
installations  are  in  progress,  before  forwarding  their  property 
returns  will  have  the  certificate  of  expenditure  (Form  55)  and 
certificate  of  property  lost  and  destroyed  (Form  56)  approved 
by  the  officer  immediately  in  charge  of  the  construction  work; 
in  all  other  cases  the  property  returns  will  have  the  certificate 
of  expenditure  approved  by  the  post  commander.  Those  not 
on  duty  at  military  posts  and  accountable  for  property  will 
forward  the  certificate  to  the  department  signal  officer  for  ap- 
proval in  season,  so  that  it  can  be  returned  in  time  to  be  in- 
cluded with  the  return  when  rendered.  In  Alaska  both  copies 
of  certificates  of  expenditure  and  property  lost  and  destroyed 
should  be  sent  by  operators  in  charge  to  the  officer  in  charge 
of  the  section  for  approval ;  one  copy  of  each  certificate  to  be 
returned  to  the  accountable  person  and  the  other  copy  for- 
warded direct  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army. 


ARTICLE  V. 
REQUISITIONS    AND    SUPPLY   DEPOTS, 

REQUISITIONS. 

328.  Requisitions  for  all  Signal  Corps  equipment  and  supplies, 
except  as  indicated  in   the  following  paragraph   or  otherwise 
excepted  under  existing  regulations,  will  be  forwarded  to  the 
Chief    Signal    Officer    of    the    Army    through    the    department 
signal  officer,  who  will  check  the  items  and  indorse  a  recom- 
mendation as  to  issue.     Requisitions  from  interior  posts  and 
for  the  mobile  army  equipment  should  be  made  on  Signal  Corps 
Form  No.  64,  and  from  coast  defenses  for  fire-control  equipment 
and  maintenance  supplies  on  Signal  Corps  Form  No.  63. 

329.  In  the  Philippine  Department  the  issue  of  Signal  Corps 
equipment  and  supplies  will  be  controlled  by  the  department 
signal  officer,  and  requisitions  should  not  be  forwarded  to  the 
Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army. 

Requisitions  for  Alaskan  telegraph  and  cable  supplies  will 
be  filled  by  the  officer  in  charge,  Washington-Alaska  Military 
Cable  and  Telegraph  System,  from  the  stores  under  his  con- 
trol, without  reference  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army. 

330.  When  requisitions  are  received  at  the  office  of  the  Chief 
Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  they  will  be  assigned  a  serial  num- 
ber and  all  subsequent  correspondence  relating  thereto  should 
make  reference  to  this  serial  number. 

331.  The  officer  submitting  the  requisition  will  be  advised  as 
to  the  serial  number  assigned  to  the  requisition  and  the  action 
taken  thereon. 

332.  Requisitions  for  maintenance  supplies  from  interior  posts 
should  be  prepared  semiannually,  after  the  completion  of  the 
prescribed  inspection  of  post  telephone  systems,  and  include  all 
articles  recommended  by  Signal  Corps  inspector.    Two  copies  of 
requisitions   should   be   forwarded,   one  for  the   Office   of   the 

115 


116    GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  and  one  to  be  retained  by  the 
department  signal  officer. 

333.  Requisitions  for  maintenance  supplies  from  coast  defenses 
should  be  prepared  quarterly.     These  requisitions  will  consoli- 
date the  requisitions   recevied  from   the  several   posts  in   the 
coast-defense  command,  and  the  coast-defense  artillery  engineer 
will  indicate  opposite  each  item  the  point  to  which  shipment 
should  be  made.    Requisitions  should  be  made  in  duplicate,  one 
for  the  Office  of  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  and  one 
for  the  department  signal  officer. 

334.  Requisitions  submitted  for  supply  parts  for  motors,  gen- 
erators, motor  generators,  and  boosters  must  indicate  the  manu- 
facturer's name  and  all  nameplate  data.    In  the  case  of  brushes 
it  is  essential  that  the  size  be  given. 

Requisitions  submitted  for  supply  parts  for  bicycles  must 
indicate  the  manufacturer's  name,  model  number,  serial  num- 
ber, height  of  frame  (from  top  of  seat  post  frame  fitting  to 
center  of  crank  axle),  axle  (front  or  rear),  balls  (diameter), 
chain  (width  of  block),  cranks  (right  or  left  and  length  from 
center  to  center  of  holes  for  pedals),  sprockets  (front  or  rear 
and  number  of  teeth),  rims  (diameter  and  cross  diameter  of 
tires  which  are  to  be  fitted). 

Requisitions  that  do  not  embody  this  information  will  be  re- 
turned to  have  the  data  supplied. 

Requisition  for  each  separate  typewriter  should  state  fully 
and  explicitly  the  necessity  therefor. 

335.  In  cases  where  requisitions  have  been  made  but  no  reply 
has  been  received  concerning  the  action  taken  thereon  a  dupli- 
cate or   special   requisition   should   not   be   forwarded,   but   in- 
quiry through  the  channels  followed  by  the  requisition  should 
be  made,  inviting  attention  to  the  nonreceipt  of  the  supplies. 

336.  Electrical   engineers. — Electrical   assistants  or  assistant 
electical  engineers  acting  as  overseers  will,  when  necessary,  pro- 
vide storekeepers  with  a  list  of  supplies  for  which  requisitions 
should  be  made.     Under  ordinary  circumstances  it  will  be  un- 
necessary for   civilians  to   make   requisitions  for  construction 
supplies. 


GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    117 

337.  When  it  is  necessary  for  engineering  employees  to  make 
requisitions  for  either  construction  supplies  or  personal  equip- 
ment.  Forms  63   or  64   should  be   used,   and   duplicate  copies 
should  be  forwarded  through  the  officer  under  whom  the  em- 
ployee is  engaged. 

STATIONERY   AND   BLANK   FORMS. 

338.  (a)   Enlisted  men  of  the  Signal  Corps  in  charge  of  tele- 
graph and  telephone  offices  at  military  posts  should  make  requi- 
sition, approved  by  the  post  commander,  to  the  post  quarter- 
master  for   stationery  issued  by  the   quartermaster  for   their 
offices.     The  issue  of  stationery  by  the   Signal   Corps  will  be 
made  only  to  offices  where  its  use  is  not  exclusively  for  military 
purposes.     Telegraph   blanks,   message   envelopes,   and   printed 
forms  of  the  Signal  Corps-  will  be  issued  as  heretofore.     (See 
par.  401.) 

( & )  •  The  Fort  Wood  property  depot  is  designated  to  supply 
all  Signal  Corps  blank  forms,  and  the  property  officer  should 
submit  on  June  1  of  each  year  a  requisition  covering  the  neces- 
sary supply  for  one  year.  The  War  Department  standard 
forms  are  supplied  as  indicated  in  paragraph  94. 

(c)  Applications  for  blank  forms  sent  direct  to  the  property 
officer  will  be  supplied  when  the  quantities  appear  to  be  reason- 
able.    Requisitions  will  be  submitted  annually  on  April  1  on 
Form  No.  57.     (See  par.  339.) 

(d)  Artillery    engineers   of   coast   defenses   and   post   signal 
officers   at   interior   posts  will,   by    carefully   prepared   annual 
requisitions  on  the  Fort  Wood  depot,  keep  on  hand  a  reasonable 
supply  of  Signal  Corps  blank  forms  for  the  use  of  the  organi- 
zations and  offices  in  their  respective  districts  or  posts,  other 
than  military  telegraph  offices.     Each  requisition  will  note  by 
name  or  number  the  organizations  and  offices  to  be  supplied. 

(e)  All  other  offices,  not  under  the  commanding  officers  of 
coast  defenses  or  interior  posts,  will  forward  their  requisitions 
direct  to  the  Fort  Wood  depot. 

(/)  Requisitions  for  the  supply  of  military  telegraph  offices 
will  be  submitted  by  the  operator  in  charge  on  the  date  pre- 
scribed above  direct  to  the  Fort  Wood  depot. 


118    GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

(g)  Special  requisitions  will  be  carefully  avoided,  and  the 
reasons  for  submitting  them  will  be  stated  on  the  requisitions. 

(h)  Philippine  Islands. — All  requisitions  for  the  Philippine 
Islands  are  to  be  forwarded  to  the  property  officer,  Signal  Corps 
general  supply  depot,  Manila,  P.  I.,  instead  of  the  Fort  Wood 
depot;  otherwise  the  instructions  given  above  will  apply.  The 
signal  officer,  Philippines  Department,  will  have  a  suitable 
requisition  for  the  supply  of  the  Manila  depot  forwarded  to 
the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  on  January  1  each  year. 

(«)  Official  telegraph  blanks  (blue  color,  Form  406,  Q.  M.  C.), 
for  use  in  filing  telegrams  for  transmission  over  commercial 
lines,  are  provided  by  the  Quartermaster  Corps.  Messages 
should  always  be  sent  as  night  telegrams,  unless  it  is  impera- 
tive that  they  should  be  handled  as  day  messages. 

Government  blanks  should  be  used  whenever  possible  and 
marked  "  Government  paid  " — in  no  case  "  Government  collect." 
If  commercial  blanks  are  used  officially,  they  should  be  marked 
"  Government  paid."  Blank  forms  for  messages  transmitted 
over  field  lines  are  contained  in  the  United  States  Army  Field 
Message  Book  (Form  217-A)  and  are  provided  by  the  Signal 
Corps. 

Ten  field  message  books  (Form  217-A)  will  be  issued  on 
requisition  each  year  to  organizations  of  the  line  of  the  Army. 
(A.  G.  O.  2222646.) 

339.  '  BLANK  FORMS. 

SIGNAL  CORPS  POEMS. 

DISBURSING. 
Form  No. 

1.  Estimate  of  funds  required. 

2.  Advertisement   for  proposals. 
5.     Abstract  of  proposals. 

8.  Abstract  of  articles  purchased  for  immediate  expenditure. 

9.  Abstract  of  articles  purchased  and  paid  for. 
13.     Contract. 

19.     Transmittal  and  receipt  for  check. 

26.  Report  of  changes,  civilian  employees. 

27.  Shipper's  receipt. 

29.     Disbursing  officer's  invoice  and  receipt  of  Signal  Corps  property 
transferred. 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.     119 

PROPERTY. 

Form  No. 

3la.  Return  of  Signal  Corps  property   (cover). 

31b.  Return  of  Signal  Corps  property  (oi-iginal,  wnite.i. 

3lb.  Return  of  Signal  Corps  property   (duplicate,  blvu-i 

3lc.  Return  of  Signal  Corps  property   (bark). 

55.  Certificate  of  expenditure. 

56.  Certificate  of  property  lost  or  destroyed. 

57.  Estimate  for  blank  forms   (Signal  Corps). 

59.  Memorandum   receipt. 

60.  Militia  requisition  blanks. 

63.  Requisition  for  fire-control  material  and  supplies. 

64.  Requisition  for  Signal  Corps  supplies. 

66.  Single  sbeet  return  of  property. 

67.  Invoice  or  receipt  combined   ( property  i. 
70.     Statement  of  charges. 

TELEGRAPH. 

102.  Schedule  of  funds  "Other  line  receipts"   (officer). 

103.  Statement  of  "This  line"  account  (station). 

104.  Statement  of  "Other  line"  account   (station). 

105.  Monthly  check  and  message  report. 

106.  Statement  of  uncollected  and  guaranteed  messages. 

107.  Schedule  of  messages. 

108.  Statement  of  messages  transferred. 

109.  Receipt  for  refund  of  line  tolls. 

113.  Bond  for  use  in  the  issuing  of  duplicate  telegraph  transfer  cer- 
tificates on  the  Alaskan  Cable  System. 

117.  Bill  "  This  line  "  against  "  Other  lines,"  and  bill  "  Other  lines  " 
against  "  This  line." 

119.  Monthly  statement  of  O.  B.  and  W.  D.  telegrams  transferred  to 

commercial  lines   (operator). 

120.  Statement  of  postage  and  special  delivery  charges  paid  on  com- 

mercial telegrams   (operator). 
123a.  Telegrams  sent    (small,   ruled). 
123b.  Telegrams  sent   (small,  unruled). 
123c.  Telegrams  sent   (large,  ruled). 
123d.  Telegrams  sent  (large,  unruled). 
123e.  Radiograms,  commercial,  sent. 
123f.    Night  telegrams  sent  (small,  unruled). 
123g.  Night  telegrams  sent  (large,  unruled). 
125a.  Telegrams  received   (small,  ruled). 
125b.  Telegrams  received   (small,  unruled). 
125c.  Telegrams  received  (large,  ruled). 
125d.  Telegrams  received  (large,  unruled). 


120   GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

Form  No. 

125e.  Radiograms,  commercial,  received. 

125f.    Radiograms,  sent  or  received,  other  than  commercial. 

125g.  Night  telegrams  received    (small,  unruled). 

125h.  Night  telegrams  received  (large,  unruled). 

128.  Message  delivery  sheet. 

129.  Abstract  of  "  This  line  "   receipts. 

130.  Monthly  line  report. 

I32a.  Statement  of  remittances  "This  line." 

132b.  Statement  of  remittances  "Other  lines." 

135.  Receiver's  record  (large  offices  only). 

136.  Delivery  record    (large  offices  only). 

137.  Notice  of  nondelivery   (sending  office). 
137a.  Notice  of  nondelivery  (receiving  office). 
137b.  Notice  of  nondelivery   (messenger). 

138.  Operator's  number  sheet. 

139.  Insulation  and  resistance  test  report. 

144.  Message  envelopes. 
144a.  Field  message  envelope. 

145.  Application  for  telegraph  money  order   (Alaska  only). 

146.  Applicant's  receipt   (Alaska  only). 

147.  Notice  to  payee  (Alaska  only). 

148.  Telegraphic  transfer  certificate  (Alaska  only). 

149.  Payee's  receipt  for  transfer  certificate  (Alaska  only). 

150.  Receipt  for  radiogram,  sent. 

151.  Receipt  for  deposit. 

152.  Receipt  for  moneys  paid  on  messages. 

153.  Abstract    of    commercial    messages    accepted    and    charges    paid 

(ship  station). 

154.  Abstract  of  official  messages  accepted  on  which  no  tolls  were  col- 

lected  (ship  station). 

155.  Abstract  of  commercial  messages  received  and  delivered  on  board 

or  relayed   (ship  stations). 

156.  Abstract   of    all    commercial    radio    messages    received    and    sent 

forward   (shore  stations). 

157.  Abstract  of  messages  accepted  from  the  public  and  charges  paid 

(shore  stations). 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

204.     Signal  Corps  inspector's  memoranda   (for  use  in  connection  with 
inspection  of  Signal  Corps  equipment  at  coast-defense  posts). 

207.  Report  of  inspection  of  Signal  Corps  radiotelegraph  stations. 

208.  Monthly  cable  test  sheet. 

209.  Semiannual  report  of  post  telephone  equipment   (for  other  than 

fire-control  installations). 


GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.     121 

Form  No. 

210.  Monthly  report  of  employees  at  large. 

211.  Report  of  inspection  of   Signal   Corps  equipment    (supplementary 

to  Forms  204  and  209). 

212.  Personal  reports,  enlisted  men  on  detached  service. 

213.  Personal  reports,  officer's. 

217a.  Field  message  blank  (visual  signaling),  in  pads  of  50. 

228.  Daily  report  Signal  Corps  property. 

240.  Statement  of  public  property  purchased. 

243.  Cable  card   (fire-control). 

260.  Monthly  storage  battery  report. 

261.  Cable  record  (fire  control). 

262.  Monthly  maintenance  test. 

264.  Report  on  progress  of  installation. 

277.  Record  of  aeroplane  flights. 

278.  Signal  Corps  radio  log  book  (for  use  at  radiotelegraph  stations). 

279.  Cost  data  of  post  telephone  system. 

280.  Cost  data  of  radiotelegraph  station. 

281.  Cost  data  of  fire-control  system. 

282.  Cost  data  of  target  range  installation. 

283a.  Contract  for  telephone  service  (lines  and  instruments). 
283b.   Contract  for  telephone  service   (trunk  lines  only). 
285.     Monthly  return  of  Signal  Corps  organizations. 

WAR  DEPARTMENT  STANDARD  FORMS. 

14.     Report  of  open-market  purchases  and  the  procurement  of  services 
not  personal  exceeding  $100  in  amount  (size,  14  by  8  inches). 

30.  Special  deposit  account  current. 

31.  Schedule  of  receipts  and  deposits. 

32.  Schedule  of  disbursements. 

33.  Schedule  of  refundments  and  transfers. 

320.  Account  current   (large  size). 
320b.  Account  current  (small  size). 

321.  Abstract  of  funds  received  by  transfer  from  officers. 

322.  Abstract    of    funds    received    from    authorized    sales    of    public 

property. 

323.  Abstract  of  funds  received  from  sales  of  services. 

324.  Abstract    of    funds    received    from    sources    other    than    sales    of 

public  property  or  services. 

325.  Account    of    sales    of    public    property    at    public    auction    or   on 

sealed  proposals. 

326.  Invoice  of  funds  transferred. 

327.  Cash  receipt  for  funds  transferred. 

328.  Abstract  of  transfer  of  funds. 

329a.  Abstract  of  disbursements    (medium). 
329b.  Abstract  of  disbursements. (small). 


122   GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

Form  No. 

330a.  Public  voucher — Purchases  and  services  other  than  personal  (size, 

8  by  14  inches). 
332.     Public   voucher — Emergency   purchases   and   nonpersonal   services 

not  exceeding  $100. 

334.  Public  voucher — Pay  roll. 

335.  Public  voucher — Personal  services. 

341a.  Job-printing  voucher  (size,  14  by  18i  inches). 
365.     Cash  receipt. 

GENERAL    DEPOTS    OF    SUPPLY. 

340.  "The  general  depots  of  supply"  mentioned  in  Army  Regu- 
lation   191    include   the   general    supply   depots   of   the    Signal 
Corps  at  present  established  or  that  may  hereafter  be  estab- 
lished.    Whenever  such  depots  of  the  Signal  Corps  are  situated 
at  a  Signal  Corps  post,  matters  of  post  administration  remain 
in  the  hands  of  the  department  commanders.     (See  par.  360.) 

341.  The  Signal  Corps  general  depots  of  supply  are  estab- 
lished as  follows: 

Fort  Wood,  New  York  Harbor. 

Omaha,  Nebr. 

Fort  Mason,  Cal.   (San  Francisco). 

Seattle,  Wash. 

Manila,  P.  I. 

342.  Property  officers  of  general  supply  depots  in  the  United 
States,  except  as  indicated  beloio,  are  prohibited  from  issuing 
Signal  Corps  property  without  specific  authority  of  the  Chief 
Signal  Officer  of  the  Army.     The  anticipation  of  favorable  ac- 
tion on  requisitions  to  be  submitted  is  prohibited.     When  the 
urgency  is  such  as  to  require  special  action,  the  telegraph  may 
be  employed  for  such  authority.    Department  signal  officers  are 
authorized  to  request  emergency  issues  where  delay  would  re- 
sult in  loss  of  time  by  working  parties  or  serious  interruption 
to  the  operations  of  the  Signal  Corps  installations  in  their  de- 
partments.    Such  issues  will  not  require  the  approval  of  the 
Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  prior  to  issue,  and  should  ordi-j 
narily  be  confined  to — 

(a)   Small  issues  of  tools  or  material  necessary  to  make  minor 
repairs  to  existing  installations; 


GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.     123 

(&)  Tools  and  materials  that  have  been  overlooked,  or  for 
which  the  necessity  could  not  be  foreseen,  for  work  in  progress, 
or  that  has  already  been  the  subject  of  requisition  made  to  the 
office  of  the  Chief  Signal  Officer. 

All  such  issues  should  be  reported  by  the  property  officer  to 
the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  for  confirmation. 

343.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  property  officer  at  each  Signal 
Corps  general  supply  depot  to  call  the  attention  of  the  Chief 
Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  to  any  property  at  the  depot  which, 
though  serviceable,  has  for  any  reason  been  allowed  to  lie  idle. 

344.  The  general  policy  of  transferring  from  one  stock  to  an- 
other material  which  is  in  excess  of  needs  for  a  reasonable  time 
is  approved.     It  is  not   contemplated   that   transfers  shall  be 
made,  however,  where  an  excess  does  not  exist  and  where  there 
is  no  necessity  for  immediate  shipment.     It  is  essential  that  all 
transfers   of  this-   character   be   reported   to    the   Chief   Signal 
Officer  of  the  Army  either  by  letter  or  indorsement  on  manifests, 
in  addition  to  entries  on  daily  report  cards,  to  facilitate  appro- 
priation adjustments. 

345.  The  general  supply  depots  at  Fort  Wood,  N.  Y.,  Omaha, 
Nebr.,  and  Fort  Mason,  Cal.,  will  maintain  a  card  record  of  all 
property  at  the  depot  available  for  issue.    A  separate  card  will 
be  provided  for  each  item,  on  which  will  be  shown  each  receipt 
and  issue  of  property.    A  daily  report  on  Form  228  will  be  made 
to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  of  all  property  received 
and  issued,  as  prescribed  in  paragraph  264. 

346.  The  manifests  sent  to  property  depots  authorizing  the 
issue   of  supplies  will   be  forwarded   direct.      Such   manifests, 
after  shipments  are  made,  will  be  returned  to  the  Chief  Signal 
Officer  of   the  Army   direct,   with  notation   showing  date  and 
manner  of  shipment  and  s-erial  numbers  of  instruments.     Arti- 
cles which  can  not  be  supplied  for  any  reason  are  then  ordered 
from  other  supply  depots  or  purchased. 

347.  Manifests  must  be  returned  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of 
the  Army  within  one  week  after  they  are  received  at  the  depot 
reporting   action   taken.     A    report   of   delayed    shipments    (or 
issues)    should  be  submitted  on  the  15th  and  last  day  of  each 
month. 


124    GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

348.  At  general  supply  depots  of  the  Signal  Corps  where  war 
reserve  equipments  are  maintained,  a  complete  alphabetical  list 
of  all  property  contained  therein  shall  be  kept  for  ready  refer- 
ence.    Said  list  should  show  box,  package,  bundle,  etc.,  wherein 
each  article  is  packed,  and  a  copy  thereof  should  be  forwarded 
to  the  consignee  upon  shipment  of  the  equipment.     No  article 
will  be  added  to  or  taken  from  this  reserve  equipment  without 
specific  instructions  from  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army. 

349.  Requisitions   for   supplies   and   equipment   required   for 
stock  at  the  Signal  Corps  general  supply  depots  at  Fort  Wood, 
N.   Y. ;   Omaha,   Nebr. ;   and  Fort  Mason,   Cal.,   should  be   sub- 
mitted annually  and  mailed  in  time  to  reach  the  office  of  the 
Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  not  later  than  January  10  of 
each  year.    The  quantities  specified  should  be  sufficient  to  meet 
the  probable  requirements  for  the  current  calendar  year  and 
should   take   into   consideration    supplies   expected    under    out- 
standing purchase  orders.     (See  par.  264e.)     In  addition  to  this 
requisition,  property  officers  will  mark  "  low  stock "   on  their 
daily  report  cards  opposite  those  items  to  which  such  notation 
would  apply. 

350.  In  the  upkeep  of  stock  at  Fort  Wood,  Omaha,  and  Fort 
Mason  depots  supplies  falling  within  the  following  classes  will 
be  purchased  by  the  disbursing  officer  of  the  Signal  Corps  sta- 
tioned at  Washington,  D.  C. : 

(«)  All  equipment  of  special  manufacture. 

(&)  All  standard  commercial  supplies  of  which  a  reasonably 
large  stock  is  carried. 

The  property  officers  will  make  purchases  for  stock  of  («)  all 
standard  commercial  supplies  of  which  but  a  small  stock  is 
maintained. 

351.  When   submitting  annual   requisitions,  property  officers 
should  indicate  the  price  of  any  article  which,  in  their  opinion, 
could  be  advantageously  or  economically  purchased  locally,  seg- 
regating all  such  items  on. a  separate  sheet. 

352.  The  requisition  for  the  Philippine  Department  will  be 
made  annually  and  mailed  in  time  to  reach  the  office  of  the 
Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  by  July  10  of  each  year. 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    125 

353.  The  requisition  for  the  Washington-Alaska  Military  Cable 
and  Telegraph   System   will  be  made  annually  and  mailed  in 
time  to  reach  the  office  of  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army 
by  January  10  of  each  year. 

354.  Requisitions  from  general  supply  depots  and  the  annual 
requisition  from  the  Philippine  Department  and  Alaska  will  be 
divided  into  the  following  classifications,  viz : 

Hardware. — This  classification  to  include  everything  which  is 
usually  carried  in  stock  by  the  wholesale  hardware  dealers.  It 
includes  all  line-construction  tools,  rope,  bolts,  paints,  painting 
supplies,  etc. 

Electrical  machinery. — To  include  motors,  dynamos,  trans- 
formers, switchboards,  and  all  parts  and  appurtenances  usually 
pertaining  to  electric-power  equipment. 

Miscellaneous  electric  supplies. — To  include  insulating  and 
splicing  material,  testing  instruments,  telegraph  instruments,  and 
inside  wiring  fittings. 

Wire  ana  cable. — To  include  every  kind  of  wire  and  cable. 

Telephones. — To  include  all  kinds  of  telephones,  buzzers,  tele- 
phone switchboards,  switchboard  lightning  protectors,  and  all 
parts  for  these. 

Line  material. — To  include  poles,  insulators,  brackets,  cross 
arms,  messenger  strand,  and  all  appurtenances  for  these. 

Special  field  equipment. — To  include  all  field  equipment  which 
the  Signal  Corps  has  manufactured  under  its  specifications  and 
can  not  be  purchased  in  open  market,  such  as  breast  reels,  pay- 
out handles,  fireworks,  "  Very  "  pistols,  and  all  visual  signaling 
equipment. 

Typewriters. — To  include  all  typewriter  parts  and  supplies 
except  typewriter  ribbons. 

Bicycles  and  motor  cycles. — To  include  all  repair  parts  and 
supplies. 

Stationery. — To  include  all  items  of  stationery  and  office  fur- 
niture excepting  Signal  Corps  blank  forms. 

Radio  equipment. — To  include  supplies  and  repair  parts  for 
all  classes  of  radio.  It  is  very  necessary  that  complete  informa- 
tion and  description  be  furnished  concerning  every  article. 


126    GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

Engine  parts. — It  is  very  important  that  the  manufacturer's 
name,  type,  and  serial  number  of  the  engine  for  which  the 
parts  are  required  be  given. 

The  number  of  the  engine  can  usually  be  found  on  top  of  the 
cylinder  or  on  top  of  the  cylinder  head  where  the  cylinder  and 
head  join. 

Optical. — To  include  field  glasses,  telescopes,  clocks,  meteoro- 
logical instruments,  etc. 

Miscellaneous. — To  include  all  items  which  can  not  be  prop- 
erly included  in  any  of  the  above  classifications. 

All  items  in  each  classification  above  should  be  arranged  in 
alphabetical  order,  with  separate  columns  to  indicate  the 
amount  on  hand,  the  amount  used  or  shipped  during  the  past 
12  months,  and  the  estimated  amount  required  for  the  next  12 
months. 

355.  The  officer  in  charge  of  a  general  depot  of  supply  may 
issue  material  and   supplies  from  depot  stock  as  may  be  re- 
quired  in   the   repair   shop,   cable   splicing,   etc.,    without   sub- 
mitting a  requisition  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army. 
Material  so  issued  from  stock  will  be  reported  on  the  daily 
report  cards. 

356.  On  the  1st  day  of  January  and  July  the  officer  in  charge 
of  each  supply  depot  will  report  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of 
the   Army   the    serial    number,    type,    make,    and   condition   of 
each  unserviceable  field  glass  in  stock,  with  his  recommenda- 
tion as  to  whether  the  glass  is  worth  repairing.     In  general  all 
unserviceable  field  glasses  will  be  turned  in  to  the  supply  depot 
at  Fort  Wood,  N.  Y. 

357.  Stationery  field  message  books,  and  any  other  articles, 
except  blank  forms,  shown  on  manifests  and  where  shipment  is 
to  be  covered  by  reimbursement  to  Signal  Corps  appropriations 
should  be  included  in  receipts  and  invoices. 

358.  The  following  notation   should  be   made   upon   invoices 
turned  over  to  the  Quartermaster  Corps  to  cover  shipment  of 
supplies   for  which   reimbursement  will   be  obtained:   "Trans- 
portation charges  to  be  paid  by  the department."     This 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.     127 

does  not  apply  to  material  furnished  to  other  bureaus  of  the 
War  Department  or  to  the  militia. 

359.  All   persons  accountable  for  Signal  Corps  property  will 
refrain  from  shipping  to  any   Signal  Corps  supply  depot  any 
property  which  is  obsolete  or  unquestionably  beyond  repair  or 
ran  no  longer  be  used  for  the  purpose  originally  intended.     Such 
material  should  be  submitted  to  the  action  of  a  surveying  officer 
or  an  inspector,  in  accordance  with  existing  regulations.     (See 
pars.  302,  303.) 

360.  The  officers  in  charge  of  the  general  supply  depots  of  the 
Signal  Corps  in  the  United  States  will  ordinarily  be  so  detailed 
by  a  War  Department  order.    The  relation  between  the  property 
officer  and  post  commander  will  be  governed  by  the  following 
instructions : 

(a)  In  matters  of  inspection,  discipline,  police,  fire  protec- 
tion, transportation,  guard,  and  detail  of  enlisted  men  the  post 
commander  will  have  general  supervision  of  the  property  depot 
and  the  repair  shop  in  connection  therewith. 

(&)  Manifests  and  correspondence  pertaining  thereto  will  be 
addressed  to  and  reply  will  be  made  direct  between  the  Chief 
Signal  Officer,  Washington,  and  the  property  officer. 

(c)  The  repair  of  unserviceable  instruments  and  property 
will  be  under  the  immediate  direction  of  the  property  officer. 

(rf)  The  post  commander  should  not  detail  the  property  officer 
for  other  duty  without  permission  from  the  Chief  Signal  Officer 
of  the  Army,  except  in  case  of  emergency.  In  the  absence  of  the 
post  commander  he  would,  if  the  senior  officer  present,  assume 
the  duties  of  post  commander  by  reason  of  such  seniority,  in 
addition  to  his  duties  as  property  officer. 

(c)  When  practicable,  the  post  commander  will  detail  the 
necessary  enlisted  men  to  carry  on  the  work  of  the  property 
depot  and  repair  shop,  and  do  everything  that  is  possible  to 
expedite  the  work  at  the  depot  and  shop.  Enlisted  men  so 
assigned  should,  if  possible,  be  allowed  to  continue  uninterrupt- 
edly in  the  performance  of  such  duties  until  such  time  as  need 
for  their  services  no  longer  exists.  The  services  of  clerks, 

98483° — 15 9 


128    GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

packers,  and  other  civilian  employees  at  general  supply  depots 
will  not  be  utilized  for  post  duties  in  any  manner. 

TEMPORARY    STOREHOUSES. 

361.  Whenever  the  size  of  an  installation  justifies,  a  tempo- 
rary storehouse  will  be  established  and  placed  in  charge  of  a 
competent  enlisted   man  of  the   Signal   Corps.     In   such   cases 

* 

the  property  will  be  usually  invoiced  direct  to  the  Signal  Corps 
storekeeper,  but  in  some  cases,  especially  at  interior  posts 
and  where  the  property  for  a  post  telephone  system  is  shipped 
in  advance  of  the  establishment  of  a  temporary  storehouse,  it 
will  be  invoiced  to  the  signal  officer,  who  will  in  turn  transfer 
it  to  the  storekeeper  on  memorandum  receipt. 

362.  No  property  wil  be  issued  by  the  storekeeper  except  by 
direction  of  the  signal  officer  of  the  department  or  through  the 
Signal  Corps  representative    (civilian  assistant  or  noncommis- 
sioned officer  in  charge). 

363.  The  storekeeper  will  be  advised  of  all  equipment  and  sup- 
plies proposed  to  be  furnished  in  connection  with  the  installa- 
tion,   and    will   promptly    report    such   material    as   is   not    re- 
ceived  within   a   reasonable   time  after  date   of  contemplated 
delivery. 

364.  The  storekeeper  will  allow  no  unauthorized  persons  in 
the  storeroom,  and  will  see  to  it  that  the  construction  men  do 
not  have  access  to  the  supplies  except  under  the  supervision  of 
himself  or  his  assistant. 

365.  All  storekeepers  will  keep  a  complete  record  of  all  ma- 
terial received  by   them,   this  record  indicating  the  nature  of 
the  shipment,  the  name  of  the  shipper,  and  the  name  of  the 
party  who  delivered  the  goods.     The  purpose  of  this  record  is 
to  assist   in  tracing  missing  shipments,   and  storekeepers  will 
be  expected  to  be  able  to  furnish  exact  information  on  short 
notice  concerning  any  material  received  by  them.     Particular 
care  will  be  taken,  in  case  the  storekeeper  is  relieved  from  duty, 
that  his  successor  be  fully  informed  concerning  all  the  ship- 
ments that  have  been  received,  so  that  the  record  may  be  com- 


GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    129 

plete    and    continuous   from    the   time   of   organization    of    lh«- 
storeroom  until  it  is  abandoned. 

366.  Such  supplies  that  are  to  be  procured  locally,  as  hard- 
ware, lumber,  etc.,  will  be  purchased  by  the  storekeeper  upon 
the  authority  of  the  officer  in  charge  or  Signal   Corps  repre- 
sentative. 

367.  A  memorandum  receipt  will  be  obtained  for  all  property 
issued  during  construction,  and  as  definite  portions  of  the  in- 
stallation are  completed  it  will  be  invoiced  to  the  responsible 
officer. 

368.  All  necessary  supplies  will  be  issued  to  each  storekeeper 
for   keeping   the  proper  records   and   for   such   correspondence 
as  may  be  necessary.     These  supplies  shall  include  the  neces- 
sary blank  forms,   stationery,   typewriter,   and  like  equipment. 
With  the  exception  of  the  blank  forms  and  typewriters,  prac- 
tically all   of  these   supplies  may   be  obtained   from  the  post 
quartermaster  on   the  approval  of  the  commanding  officer   of 
the  post. 

369.  Requisitions   for  articles   used  in  original   installations 
should  not  include  any  supplies  required  for  -maintenance  pur- 
poses, as  purchases  pertaining  thereto  are  made  from  separate 
appropriations.     (See  pars.  332,  333.) 

370.  Inspections  of  stock  received. —  (a)   Civilian  employees  of 
the  Signal  Corps  acting  as  overseers  of  construction  shall  in- 
spect delicate  apparatus  upon  its  receipt  by  the  storekeeper  in 
order  to  ascertain  whether  or  not  any  damage  has  come  to  it  in 
transit. 

(&)  This  inspection  is  for  the  purpose  of  assisting  in  fixing 
the  responsibility  for  any  damage  which  has  occurred  to  the 
instruments  from  careless  handling  in  shipment  or  improper 
care  in  packing.  A  complete  report  should  be  made  by  the 
storekeeper  to  the  officer  in  charge  of  any  deficiencies  or  dam- 
ages which  may  be  found  to  exist. 

When  property  is  shipped  to  a  post  where  no  Signal  Corps 
overseer  is  stationed  the  storekeeper  will  make  the  inspection 
called  for. 


130    GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

A  copy  of  the  inspection  report  will  be  furnished  the  store- 
keeper, the  original  being  forwarded  to  the  officer  in  charge  of 
the  installation. 

Storekeepers,  after  receiving  and  inspecting  instruments  and 
other  materials  of  delicate  construction  or  character,  should 
return  them  to  their  original  packages  in  order  to  prevent  de- 
terioration on  the  storeroom  shelves. 

PACKING    AND    SHIPMENT    OF    PROPERTY. 

371.  All  shipments  of  inflammable  articles  and  acids  should  be 
made  with  due  regard  to  the  regulations  of  the  American  Rail- 
way   Association    and    the    Interstate    Commerce    Commission. 
Property  officers  and  others  who  are  required  to  ship  articles  of 
this  nature  from  time  to  time  should  provide  themselves  with 
a  copy  of  these  regulations. 

372.  All  instruments  and  other  articles  of  the  Signal  Corps 
must   be   carefully   packed   for   shipment   to   avoid  damage   in 
transit,  especially  when  intended  for  distant  transportation,  as 
to  the  Philippines  or  Alaska. 

373.  Shipments   of   explosives   and   other   dangerous   articles 
should  be  made  with  due  regard  to  regulations  covering  such 
shipments,  as  laid  down  in  the  American  Railway  Association 
rules  and  in  the  Interstate  Commerce  regulations  for  the  trans- 
portation of  explosives,  etc. 

374.  On  opening  any  packages  of  Signal  Corps  supplies  re- 
ceived  from   the   depot,   the   packer's   ticket   inside    should   be 
secured,  and  in  case  of  any  discrepancy  in  the  number  of  arti- 
cles this  packer's  ticket  must  be  returned  to  the  shipper  with 
report  of  the  deficiency. 

375.  The  following  extract  from  General  Orders,  No.  10,  War 
Department,  February  18,  1914,  on  the  subject  of  packing  boxes 
is  furnished  for  information  and  guidance  when  practicable: 

1.  STANDARD  PACKING  BOXES. 

Packing  boxes  38  by  19  by  15  inches,  outside  measurement,  meet 
nearly  all  requirements  for  escort  wagon,  motor  truck,  pack  animal, 
or  water  transport,  and  accordingly  all  *  *  *  supplies  intendec 
for  field  service  will,  when  practicable,  be  packed  in  boxes  of  sucl 


GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    131 

dimensions,  constructed  of  suitable  light  but  durable  material  (ordi- 
narily not  exceeding  J-inch  sides  and  1-inch  ends),  and  bound  around 
center  ;ind  ends,  when  necessary,  with  suitable  hoop  iron  or  wire  ; 
weight  not  to  exceed  150  pounds  gross. 

Sacking  or  baling  will  be  substituted  for  boxes  whenever  practi- 
cable, and  when  necessary  to  use  smaller  boxes  same  should  be  exact 
subdivisions  of  corresponding  dimensions  of  the  standard  box. 

By  reducing  the  number  of  articles,  the  standard  size  and  gross 
weight  limit  of  IDOX  adapts  itself  to  most  quartermaster  supplies. 

2.  EXCEPTIONS. 

(a)  In  exceptional  cases,  where  conformity  to  the  standard  weight 
limit  would  destroy  the  unity  of  equipment  and  separate  component 
parts,  the  loss  of  any  one  of  which  would  render  the  others  useless, 
the  gross  weight  of  the  standard  box  may  exceed  150  pounds. 

(fr)  In  exceptional  cases,  where  supplies  are  now  packed  in  boxes 
or  bales  of  less  than  150  pounds  gross  weight,  and  the  dimensions  of 
which,  determined  by  the  nature  of  the  supplies  and  the  number  of 
units  necessarily  carried,  are  within  standard  dimensions,  same  may 
be  packed  as  heretofore. 

(c)  In  other  exceptional  cases  the  height  of  the  standard  box  may 
be  slightly  varied,  the  length  and  breadth  being  adhered  to. 

0.   OLD  MARKS. 

When  boxes,  crates,  barrels,  etc.,  which  have  been  used  in  the  trans- 
portation of  supplies  are  again  used  as  containers  in  the  shipment  of 
supplies,  care  must  be  taken  that  all  old  marks  are  obliterated. 

376.  The  following  will  govern  the  packing  and  shipment  of 
iron  and  steel  poles,  iron  cross  arms,  and  fittings : 

Poles  require  no  packing;  pole  steps  and  messenger  supports 
shall  be  securely  packed  in  strong  boxes,  not  more  than  25  in 
any  one  box. 

Cross  arms  shall  be  prepared  for  shipment  in  the  following 
manner :  The  two  parts  of  the  cross  arm  shall  be  rigidly  bolted 
together  with  its  full  complement  of  bolts.  Five  of  the  as- 
sembled cross  arms  shall  be  rigidly  lashed  together  with  three 
separate  lashings,  each  to  consist  of  a  double  wrapping  of  81 
mils  galvanized-iron  wire.  One  lashing  shall  pass  through  hole, 
intended  for  pole,  of  each  of  the  five  cross  arms.  The  other 
two  lashings  shall  be  at  each  end  of  cross  arms  and  each  shall 
pass  through  hole,  intended  for  insulator  plug,  of  each  of  the 
five  cross  arms. 


132    GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

All  other  material  shall  be  packed  in  strong  boxes ;  not  more 
than  one  type  of  fitting,  and  not  more  than  50  of  one  type  are 
to  be  packed  in  one  box. 

377.  Shipments  by  mail. — The  act  of  Congress  approved  June 
8,  1896,  limits  the  weight  of  all  mail  packages  (except  fourth- 
class  mail  matter)    to  4  pounds.     When  articles  are  directed 
transferred  from  one  station  to  another  by  mail,  care  must  be 
exercised  to  see  that  the  packages  do  not  exceed  this  weight. 
Where  this  weight  would  b.e  exceeded  in  one  package  and  it  is 
practicable  to  divide  the  articles  two  or  more  packages  must  be 
made. 

The  limit  of  weight  for  packages  forwarded  by  parcel  post 
are  50  pounds  to  offices  in  the  first  or  second  zone  and  20 
pounds  to  all  other  offices,  but  no  shipments  should  be  made  by 
parcel  post  except  under  specific  authority  from  the  Chief 
Signal  Officer  of  the  Army. 

378.  Shipments  ~by  express. — Voltmeters  of  all  types,  amme- 
ters, electrical-instrument  cases,  time-interval  clocks,  mercurial 
barometers,  and  all  other  electrical  apparatus  of  delicate  con- 
struction, susceptible  to  injury  by  rough  handling  in  shipment 
will  in  every  instance  be  shipped  by  express.     (G.  O.,  No.  86, 
W.  D.,  1907.) 

The  Quartermaster  General  of  the  Army,  June  10,  1907,  ad- 
vised that  other  property,  in  packages  not  exceeding  50  pounds 
in  weight  and  when  there  is  urgent  necessity  therefor,  may  be 
shipped  by  express  from  general  supply  depots  of  the  Signal 
Corps  without  reference  to  his  office  for  authority  therefor, 
and  that  the  depot  quartermasters  concerned  had  been  author- 
ized accordingly.  Shipping  manifests,  or  other  shipping  direc- 
tions, from  the  office  of  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  will 
indicate  when  such  express  shipments  are  desired. 

Should  instructions  be  received  for  the  shipment  by  express 
of  consignments  weighing  in  excess  of  50  pounds,  and  it  is  found 
impracticable  to  arrange  the  articles  in  two  or  three  packages 
of  not  exceeding  50  pounds  in  weight  each,  the  material  should 
be  prepared  for  shipment  and  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the 
Army  communicated  with  by  wire  advising  the  necessity  for 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    133 

securing  authority  from  the  Quartermaster  General  for   such 
shipment. 

379.  Buzzers,  telephones,  switchboards,  and  all  such  instru- 
ments operated  by  dry  cells  will  have  all  battery  cells  removed 
before  shipment.    Dry  cells  for  these  instruments  will  always  be 
furnished,  but  must  be  packed  separately  and  not  installed  in 
the  instrument. 

380.  Dry  cells  will  be  issued  with  instruments  in  all  cases 
except  the  composite  artillery  type  telephone,  and  the  number 
and  size  according  to  the  table  below. 

Allowance  of  dry  cells  to  be  provided. 


Instrument. 

Type  of  cell. 

Number 
of  cells. 

L  B  post  telephone  switchboards  

Edison-Lelande,  type 

3 

V. 
{No  6  Reserve  

2 

Portable  field  telephone  switchboard  

No.  4-0  Reserve        .  . 

L  B  telephones,  for  post  use 

No.  6  Reserve  

2 

Field  telephones,  models  1905,  1906,  1910      .  . 

.     ..do  

2 

Induction  telegraph  sets,  new  tvpe  

Tungsten,  type  A  

12 

Camp  switchboard  

No.  6  Reserve  

2 

Camp  telephone 

Tungsten,  type  A 

12 

Field  artillery  telephone,  1910,  1912  

do  

i  1 

Service  buzaer              

do  

12 

Flash-lights  

do  

i  1 

1  One  unit  consisting  of  two  special  cells. 

381.  The  words  "Bright  Candle"  are  used  inversely  by.  the 
American  Ever  Ready  Co.  to  designate  the  month  in  which  dry 
cells  supplied  by  them  are  manufactured,  e.  g.,  the  letter  "  E  " 
indicates  that  the  cell  was  made  in  January,  "  L  "  in  February, 
"  D  "  in  March,  etc. 

382.  WAR  DEPARTMENT, 

OFFICE  OF  THE  QUARTERMASTER  GENERAL, 

Washington,  June  9,  1906. 
The  CHIEF  SIGNAL  OFFICER,  UNITED  STATES  ARMY. 

SIR  :  In  order  to  comply  with  the  requirements  of  the  Department  of 
Commerce  and  Labor  relative  to  furnishing  collectors  of  customs  at  vari- 
ous ports  from  which  shipments  of  Government  property  are  made 


134   GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

copies  of  the  manifests  for  such  Government  property,  together  with 
the  actual  valuation  thereof,  it  is  requested  that  in  invoicing  property 
to  the  Quartermaster's  Department  for  shipment  to  noncontiguous 
territories  of  the  United  States  (Guam,  the  Philippines,  Hawaii,  Porto 
Rico,  and  Alaska)  the  actual  valuation  be  in  all  cases  furnished  to  the 
shipping  quartermasters,  in  order  that  same  may  be  shown  on  the  Gov- 
ernment bill  of  lading  for  the  information  and  guidance  of  the  officer 
of  the  port  from  which  the  supplies  are  to  be  forwarded  to  enable  him 
to  comply  with  the  requirements  of  the  Department  of  Commerce  and 
Labor. 

Respectfully,  C.  F.  HUMPHREY, 

Quartermaster  General,  United  States  Army. 

382a.  Instruments  and  all  articles  of  value  sent  through  the 
mails  must  be  registered.  Postage  stamps  for  this  purpose  will 
be  furnished  by  the  Quartermaster's  Department. 

383.  The   regulations  concerning  penalty   envelopes   for  free 
postage  are  set  forth  in  Army  Regulations  834  to  839,  and  it 
should  be  noted  that  the  use  of  freight  or  express  for  trans- 
mitting official  letters  or  packages  that  can  be  sent  by  mail  is 
forbidden;  that  the  weight  of  packages  is  limited  to  4  pounds, 
and  that  penalty  envelox^es  will  not  be  furnished  to  merchants 
or  other  dealers  to  cover  the  transmission  of  public  property. 

384.  In  the  shipment  of  battery  commanders'  telephones  in 
iron  cases  the  generator  handle  should  be  removed  from  its 
socket  and  secured  within  the  case.     Soft  packing  should  be 
inserted  around  the  telephone  on  top  of  the  tray  and  in  front 
inside  the  case  cover.     In  this  way,  if  the  iron  pins  that  hold 
the  telephone  in  the  case  should  work  loose,  the  telephones  will 
not  be  damaged. 

385.  Whenever  it  is  necessary  to  ship  station  ammeters,  either 
for  repairs  or  for  installation,  special  care  should  be  taken  to  see 
that  the  separate  shunt,  when  one  is  provided  for  the  meter, 
with  the  leads  used  with  it,  accompanies  the  shipment.     The 
shunt  should  always  bear  the  same  serial  number  as  the  meter, 
the  shunts  of  different  numbers  and  their  leads  not  being  inter- 
changeable.     This   precaution   is   necessary   in    order   that,    if 
repairs  are  to  be  made,  the  meter  can  be  properly  recalibrated, 
and  when  installed  will  give  correct  indications. 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    135 

388.  The  attention  of  Signal  Corps  property  officers,  Signal 
Corps  storekeepers,  and  artillery  engineers  at  posts  where  Sig- 
nal Corps  storekeepers  are  not  stationed  is  invited  to  the  fol- 
lowing important  requirements  with  regard  to  packing  Signal 
Corps  apparatus  for  shipment  or  storage : 

In  preparing  telephone  switchboards  for  shipment  special 
attention  should  be  given  to  see  that  the  keyboards  are  held 
down  by  a  cross  cleat,  as  the  keyboard  locks  are  not  strong 
enough  to  hold  the  board  in  place  during  shipment.  This  cleat 
should  be  padded  to  prevent  injury  to  the  finish  of  the  wood- 
work. Cord  weights  should  be  securely  tied  to  prevent  damage 
to  the  apparatus  in  the  switchboard  or  they  may  be  removed 
entirely  and  packed  in  separate  boxes  for  shipment. 

The  armor  of  all  armored  cords  should  be  removed  and  made 
into  neat  coils  for  shipment.  The  cord  after  the  removal  of 
the  armor  should  be  withdrawn  into  the  instrument  and  tied 
into  place. 

All  iron  case  instruments  should  be  held  in  place  in  the  pack- 
ing case  by  strong  blocks  in  addition  to  the  excelsior  packing. 

All  tool  chests  should  be  crated  for  shipment.  The  finished 
surfaces  of  all  tools  should  be  given  a  very  thin  coat  of  oil  or 
vaseline  before  the  chests  are  placed  in  storage  or  prepared  for 
shipment  in  order  to  prevent  rust. 

Terminal  boxes  should  be  covered  with  heavy  inanila  paper 
and  crated  before  shipment. 

DECISIONS    CONCERNING     ISSUES. 

387.  Push  buttons,  doorbells,  and  call  buzzers  are  furnished  by 
the  Quartermaster's  Department,  and  not  by  the  Signal  Corps. 
The  Signal  Corps  supplies  call  bells  and  buzzers  only  for  night 
signals  on  telephone  switchboards. 

388.  Telegraph  instruments  for  practice  purposes  will  not  be 
issued  except  to  such  posts  as,  in  the  opinion  of  the  department 
commander,  are  of  sufficient  importance  and  strength  to  justify 
the  belief  that  practical  results  or  benefit  would  be  derived  there- 
from. 


136    GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

389.  Bicycles  are  not  issued  by  the  Signal  Corps  for  trans- 
portation purposes,  but  only  for  repair  work  on  telegraph  lines 
and  kindred  work  connected  therewith.     (See  Cir.  71,  War  De- 
partment, Oct.  24,  1907.) 

390.  The  signal  officers  of  the  several  military  departments 
should   not   make   requisition   upon   the   Signal    Corps   for   the 
necessary  articles  of  office,  toilet,  and  desk  furniture,  binding, 
and  police  utensils,  as  the  purchase  of  these  articles  is  provided 
for  in  the  appropriation  of  the  Army  "  for  contingent  expenses 
at  the  headquarters  of  the  several   military  departments,   in- 
cluding the  staff  corps  serving  thereat."     Allotments  ar3  made 
from  this  appropriation  by  the  Secretary  of  War  for  the  head- 
quarters for  each  military  department. 

391.  Requisitions   for   gravity   battery    material   will   be   ap- 
proved, based  on  the  following: 

One  copper  per  year. 

One  zinc   for   two   months. 

Two  pounds  bluestone,  per  month,  for  6  by  8  size. 

One  and  one-half  pounds  bluestone,  per  month,  for  5  by  7  size. 

Two  renewals,  type  V  cells,  per  year. 

392.  Reserve  cells  that  have  been  in  service  should  not  be 
issued  on   requisition.     When   such  cells  are   received  at   the 
property  depot  they  should  be  expended  with  proper  explana- 
tion on  the  expenditure  voucher,  unless  they  can  be  utilized  in 
the  depot  or  in  the  post  where  the.  depot  is  situated. 

393.  Manuals  of  the  several  staff  departments  and  blank  forms 
are  subject  to  issue  or  sale  to  the  Organized  Militia  the  same 
as  other  supplies.     (Dec.  Mil.  Sec.  Jan.  29,  1907.) 

394.  Apparatus  for  use  in  testing  electrical  installations  in 
connection  with  fire-control  systems  at  seacoast  defenses  will 
be  issued  by  the  Signal  Corps,  and  requisitions  for  such  instru- 
ments should  be  made  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army. 

395.  No  issue  of  signal  property  will  be  made  to  civil  educa- 
tional institutions  except  as  indicated  below,  but  property  here- 
tofore issued  will  not  be  recalled. 

396.  Under  act  of  Congress  approved  July  17,  1914,  and  under 
such  regulations  as  the  Secretary  of  War  may  prescribe,  edu- 
cational institutions  to  which  an  officer  of  the  Army  is  detailed 


GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    137 

as  professor  of  military  science  and  tactics  may  purchase  from 
the  War  Department  for  cash,  for  the  use  of  their  military 
students,  such  stores,  supplies,  materiel  of  war,  and  military 
publications  as  are  furnished  to  the  Army,  such  sales  to  be  at 
the  price  listed  to  the  Army  with  the  cost  of  transportation 
added :  Provided,  That  all  moneys  received  from  the  sales  of 
stores,  supplies,  materiel  of  war,  and  military  publications  to 
educational  institutions  to  which  an  officer  of  the  Army  is  de- 
tailed as  professor  of  military  science  and  tactics  shall,  re- 
spectively, revert  to  that  appropriation  out  of  which  they  were 
originally  expended  and  shall  be  applied  to  the  purpose  for 
which  they  are  appropriated  by  law. 

397.  No  sales  will  be  made  under  the  provisions  of  this  act 
except    as   hereinafter    authorized.      All    applications    for    pur- 
chases will  be  made  to  The  Adjutant  General.     Only  such  ar- 
ticles will  be  sold  as  are  clearly  suitable  for  the  use  of  the 
military   students   in   their   military   instruction   and   training, 
and  all  applications  will  contain  a  statement  to  the  effect  that 
the  articles  are  desired  for  such  purpose  only.     In  all  cases  of 
shipment  the  purchase  price  of  articles,  including  the  cost  of 
packing,  will  be  deposited  with  the  issuing  officer  prior  to  ship- 
ment.   Ordinarily  shipments  will  be  made  so  that  transportation 
charges  will  be  collected  by  the  carrier  at  destination.     (A.  G.  O., 
2186461-H,  Oct.  8,  1914.) 

398.  The  Signal  Corps  is  authorized  to  make  sales  in  accord- 
ance with  the  foregoing  whenever  the  available  supply  will  so 
warrant,  and  when  the  available  supply  will  not  warrant  favor- 
able action  on  any  request  a  report  to  that  effect  will  be  made 
to  The  Adjutant  General  of  the  Army.     (A.  G.  O.,  Oct.  19,  1914 ; 
C.  S.  O.  file  35491.) 

399.  The  transportation  of  Signal  Corps  stores  from  property 
depots  to  institutions  of  learning,  and  from  institutions  of  learn- 
ing back  to  depots,  is  always  without  expense  to  the  United 
States. 

In  issuing  equipment  and  supplies  to  the  Organized  Militia 
and  to  colleges  on  requisitions  approved  by  the  Chief  Signal 
Officer  of  the  Army,  only  new  and  unused  supplies  will  be 
issued. 


138    GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

400.  The  manufacturers  of  acetylene  lanterns  now  used  by  the 
Signal  Corps  advise  that  ordinary  absorbent  cotton  better  serves 
the  purpose  of  straining  the  gas  than  the  bag  filters  heretofore 
used.     No  further  issue  of  filters  will  be  made.     The  absorbent 
cotton  should  be  loosely  packed  in  the  filter  chamber. 

401.  Stationery  and  office  supplies  are  furnished  by  the  Quar- 
termaster  Corps,  as  set  forth  in  Army  Regulations  1062  and 
10G3.   and   the   Signal   Corps  supplies   stationery   for   telegraph 
offices  doing  commercial  business.     A  letter  from  the  Quarter- 
master General  of  the  Army  defining  the  policy  in  this  matter 

is  as  follows: 

WAR  DEPARTMENT, 
•OFFICE  OF  THE  QUARTERMASTER  GENERAL, 

Washington,  October  12,  1905. 
CHIEF  SIGNAL  OFFICER,,  UNITED  STATES  ARMY,, 

Washington,  D.  C. 

SIR  :  In  reply  to  your  letter  of  the  28th  ultimo,  you  are  respectfully 
informed  that  stationery  and  expendable  desk  supplies  have  been  and 
are  now  issued  quarterly  on  approved  requisitions  by  the  Quarter- 
master's Department,  under  paragraph  1062  (1913),  Army  Regulations, 
to  the  Signal  Corps  at  points  where  they  are  performing  only  military 
duty  and  for  performing  military  duty  only  at  other  points,  and  that 
this  practice  will  be  continued,  the  Signal  Corps  in  this  respect  being 
regarded  as  on  the  same  footing  as  other  corps  of  the  Army  to  which 
the  Quartermaster's  Department  issues  stationery,  etc.,  for  purely 
military  purposes. 

Respectfully,  C.  F.  HUMPHREY, 

Quartermaster  General,  United  States  Army. 

MANUALS. 

402.  The  manuals  concerning  the  several   staff  departments 
will   contain,   besides   extracts   from   general   regulations,    such 
rules  as  have  special  application,  but  no  regulations,  orders,  or 
instructions   will    be   embodied   therein   which    are   in   conflict 
with  the  Regulations  of  the  Army.     (Decis.  Sec.  War,  Oct.  31, 
1895.) 

403.  Manuals  issued  by  the  staff  departments  and  approved  by 
the  Secretary  of  War,  wrhen  not  in  conflict  with  any  provisions 
of  these  regulations  or  of  orders  or  bulletins  of  the  War  Depart- 
ment, will  have  equal  force  therewith.     (A.  R.  1570.) 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.     139 

404.  The  following  enumerated  manuals  pertain  to  the  duties 
and  equipment  of  the  Signal  Corps,  and  are  issued  by  the  War 
College  Division,  General  Staff: 

No.  1.     Telephones.      (Obsolete.) 

No.  2.  Regulations  for  the  United  States  Military  Telegraph 
Lines  and  Alaskan  Cables. 

No.  2a.  Regulations  Governing  Commercial  Radio  Service  Be- 
tween Ship  and  Shore  Stations,  United  States  Army. 

No.  3.     Technical  Equipment  of  the  Signal  Corps. 

No.  4.  Handbook  of  Submarine  Cables  of  the  Signal  Corps. 
(Now  combined  with  No.  3.) 

No.  5.     Photography.      (Obsolete.) 

No.  6.  Visual  Signaling.  (Superseded  by  Signal  Book,  United 
States  Army,  1914.) 

No.  7.     General,   Property,   and  Disbursing  Regulations. 

No.  8.  Apparatus  for  Fire-Control  and  Direction.  (Superseded 
by  Installation  and  Maintenance  of  Fire-Control  Sys- 
tems at  Seacoast  Defenses.) 

Manual  No.  S  is  a  confidential  publication.  Copies  are  issued 
to  officers  of  the  Signal  Corps  and  to  officers,  master  electricians, 
and  electrician  sergeants  of  the  Coast  Artillery  Corps. 

Each  copy  of  the  manual  bears  a  serial  number,  and  must  be 
receipted  for  by  the  person  to  whom  issued. 

405.  Applications  for  Signal  Corps  manuals  from  officers,  en- 
listed men,  and  civilian  employees  of  the  Signal  Corps  should 
be  addressed  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army,  and  will 
be  forwarded  to  the  War  College  Division,  General  Staff,  with 
recommendation  as  to  issue. 

SPECIAL    VEHICLES. 

406.  (a)   All  Signal  Corps  special  vehicles  will  be  painted  an 
olive-drab  color. 

The  following  is  the  formula  for  mixing  the  olive-drab  paint 
to  be  used : 

6  pounds  white  lead  ground  in  raw  linseed  oil. 
1  pound  raw  umber. 
1  pint  turpentine. 

1  pint  japan  drier. 

2  pints  raw  linseed  oil. 


140    GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 


The  insignia  of  the  Signal  Corps  will  be  painted  in  a 
suitable  place  on  all  special  vehicles,  pack  chests,  etc.,  belonging 
to  the  Signal  Corps. 

407.  Each  reel  cart,  wire  cart,  wire  wagon,  or  radio  traction 
set  will   have  a   serial-number  plate.     Any  officer  accountable 
for  one  of  the  vehicles  enumerated  above  which  does  not  have 
a    serial-number   plate   will    report   the   fact,    together   with   a 
description  of  the  vehicle,  by  which  it  can  be  identified. 

ISSUES    TO    THE    ORGANIZED    MILITIA. 

408.  "  The  annual  appropriations     *     *     *     shall  be  available 
for  the  purpose  of  providing  for  issue  to  the  Organized  Militia 
any  stores  and  supplies  or  publications  which  are  supplied  to 
the  Army  by  any  department.    Any  State,  Territory,  or  the  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia  may,  with  the  approval  of  the  Secretary  of 
War,  purchase  for  cash,  from  the  War  Department,  for  the  use 
of  its  militia,   stores,   supplies,   materials  of  war,   or  military 
publications,   such  as  are  furnished  to  the  Army,  in  addition 
to  those  issued  under  the  provisions  of  this  act,  at  the  price  at 
which  they  are  listed  for  issue  to  the  Army,  with  the  cost  of 
transportation  added,  and  funds  received  from  such  sales  shall 
be   credited   to   the  appropriations  to   which  they  belong  and 
shall  not  be  covered  into  the  Treasury,  but  shall  be  available 
until  expended  to   replace  therewith   the   supplies  sold  to   the 
States  and  Territories  and  to  the  District  of  Columbia  in  the 
manner   herein  provided."      (Extract   sec.   17,   act  of  Jan.   21, 
1903;  32  Stats.,  778.) 

409.  All  the  public  property  issued  to  the  Organized  Militia 
will   be  accounted   for   under   the   same  regulations   that   now 
govern  accountability  for  public  property  in  the  Army,  and  the 
chiefs  of  the  several  supply  departments  will  furnish  the  gov- 
ernors of  the  several  States  and  Territories  and  -the  command- 
ing general  of  the  District  of  Columbia  Militia  the  necessary 
blank  forms  for  making  the  required  returns  of  the  public  prop- 
erty so  issued,  and  returns  will  be  made  annually  on  the  31st 
of  December  of  each  year  and  will  be  sent  to  the  War  Depart- 
ment for  examination  and  settlement.     (Circ.  9,  W.  D.,  1903.) 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    141 

410.  "  SEC.  4.  Whenever  any  property  furnished  to  any  State 
or  Territory,  or  the  District  of  Columbia,  as  hereinbefore  pro- 
vided, has  been  lost  or  destroyed  or  has  become  unserviceable 
or  unsuitable,  from  use  in  the  service  or  from  any  other  cause, 
it  shall  be  examined  by  a  disinterested  surveying  officer  of  the 
Organized  Militia,  to  be  appointed  by  the  governor  of  the  State 
or   Territory   or   the   commanding   general    of   the   District   of 
Columbia  Militia  to  whom  the  property  has  been  issued,  and  his 
report  shall  be  forwarded  by  said  governor  or  commanding  gen- 
eral direct  to  the  Secretary  of  War;  and  if  it  shall  appear  to 
the  Secretary  of  War,  from  the  record  of  survey,  that  the  prop- 
erty has  been  lost  or  destroyed  through  unavoidable  causes,  he 
is  hereby  authorized  to  relieve  the  State  from  further  accounta- 
bility therefor ;  if  it  shall  appear  that  the  loss  or  destruction 
of  property  was  due  to  carelessness  or  neglect,  or  that  its  loss 
could  have  been  avoided  by  the  exercise  of  reasonable  care,  the 
money  value  thereof  shall  be  charged  against  the  allotment  to 
the    State    under    section    1661    of    the    Revised    Statutes,    as 
amended.     If  the  articles  so  surveyed  are  found  to  be  unserv- 
iceable or  unsuitable,  the  Secretary  of  War  shall  direct  what 
disposition,  by  sale  or  otherwise,  shall  be  made  of  them,  except 
unserviceable  clothing,   which   shall  be  destroyed,   and  if  sold 
the  proceeds  of  such  sale  shall  be  covered  into  the  Treasury  of 
the  United  States."     (Act  of  June  22,  1906;  34  Stat.  L.,  450.) 

411.  The   act   of   March   '1,   1899,    requires   chiefs   of   supply 
bureaus  to  issue  such  public  property  as  is  ordinarily  issued  by 
them,  upon  requisitions  from  the  commanding  general,  District 
of  Columbia  Militia,  as  may  be  approved  by  the  Secretary  of 
War.    In  his  interpretation  of  this  act  the  Judge  Advocate  Gen- 
eral of  the  Army  decides  that  in  this  act  Congress  bears  the 
same  relation  to  the  Organized  Militia  of  the  District  of  Colum- 
bia  as  do   the   State  legislatures  to   the  Organized   Militia   of 
their    respective    States,    and   that    the    quantity    of   issues   is 
limited  only  to  the  approval  of  the  Secretary  of  War.     He  also 
decides  that  the  act  of  March  1,   1899,   is  not  superseded  or 
annulled  by  the  acts  of  January  21,  1903,  and  March  2,  1903, 
and  that  the  District  of  Columbia  can  draw  property  to  the  full 
value  of  its  allotment  under  these  acts,  and  in  addition  draws 


142    GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

such  property  under  the  act  of  March  1,  1899,  as  the  Secretary 
of  War  may  approve.  The  supply  bureaus  are  not  reimbursed 
for  the  value  of  such  issues  under  act  of  March  1,  1899. 

412.  Requisitions    (Form    No.    60),    signed    by   governors    of 
States  and  Territories  and  by  the  commanding  general,  District 
of  Columbia  Militia,  are  forwarded  direct  to  the  Chief,  Divi- 
sion of  Militia  Affairs.     The  Chief,  Division  of  Militia  Affairs, 
forwards  the  requisition  to  the  chief  of  the  supply  bureau  con- 
cerned for  an  estimate  of  cost,  who  returns  it  with  the  infor- 
mation.    If  approved,   the   Chief,   Division   of  Militia  Affairs, 
returns  it  to  the  chief  of  the  bureau  for  issue.     The  supplies 
are  issued  and  shipped  on  Government  bill  of  lading.     They  are 
invoiced,   receipts  accomplished,   and  accounted  for  on   annual 
return  by  the  party  to  whom  issued.     An  itemized  statement 
showing  the  value  of  property  is  forwarded  to  the  governor  or 
commanding   general,    District    of    Columbia    Militia,    and    the 
Chief,  Division  of  Militia  Affairs,  informed  that  all  action  has 
been  taken  and  request  made  for  reimbursement  to  credit  of 
the  supply  bureau. 

413.  The  Signal  Corps  does  not  carry  on  hand  a  large  stock  of 
the  various-  special  electrical  instruments  and  other  equipment, 
and  upon  receipt  of  requisitions  orders  are  placed  with  manu- 
facturers.   To  insure  receipt  of  Signal  Corps  supplies,  requisitions 
should  be  forwarded  so  as  to  reach  the  War  Department  at  least 
five  months  prior  to  the  time  when  the  equipment  is  required. 

414.  Issues  to  the  militia  under  the  act  of  January  21,  1903, 
are  confined  to  such  articles  as  are  procured  under  direct  pro- 
visions of  law  for  issue  to  the  regular  forces  of  the  United  States 
Signal  Corps. 

415.  Experimental   equipments  will  not  be  issued,   but   only 
such  stores  as  are  necessary  to  equip  the  militia  in  the  same 
manner  as  prescribed  for  the  Regular  Army. 

WAR    DEPARTMENT    TELEGRAPH    CODES. 

416.  This  code  is  issued  to  officers  of  the  Army  for  their  official 
use,  and  it  is  in  the  nature  of  a  confidential  document. 

Care  should  be  taken  to  prevent  access  thereto  by  unauthor- 
ized persons. 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    143 

417.  It  should  be  accounted  for  by  the  serial  number  indicated 
on  the  inside  of  the  cover.     When  transferred,  duplicate  memo- 
randum   receipts    must    be    obtained.      One    receipt   should    be 
promptly  forwarded  to  the  Chief  Signal   Officer  of  the  Army. 
(G.  O.,  93,  W.  D.,  1907.) 

418.  The  rendition  of  the  semiannual  report  to  the  Chief  Sig- 
nal Officer  of  the  Army  accounting  for  this  code  is  no  longer 
required.     (G.  O.,  No.  5,  W.  D.,  1914.) 

419.  The  regulations  concerning  care  and  accountability  for 
War  Department  telegraph  codes  at  posts  are  set  forth  in  para- 
graph 1185,  Army  Regulations. 

EQUIPMENT  ISSUED  TO  LINE  ORGANIZATIONS. 

420.  The   Signal   Corps  issues  the   signaling  equipment  pre- 
scribed in  the  different  unit  accountability  equipment  manuals 
for  the  authorized  strength.    This  outfit  will  be  retained  as  part 
of  the  organization  equipment  and  will  be  accounted  for  and 
maintained  as  prescribed  in  General  Orders,  No.  43,  War  De- 
partment, 1913. 

The  field  glass  issued  as  part  of  this  equipment  is  not  for  the 
personal  use  of  an  officer,  and  will  not  be  used  in  lieu  of  the 
officer's  personal  field  glass  prescribed  by  paragraph  97,  General 
Orders,  No.  169,  War  Department,  1907.  (G.  O.,  16,  W.  D., 
1910.) 

VISUAL  SIGNALING  EQUIPMENT  AT  COAST  DEFENSES. 

421.  In  addition  to  the  visual  signaling  equipment  issued  to 
each  company  of  Coast  Artillery  as  part  of  their  unit  account- 
ability equipment   the  following   is   authorized   under   General 
Orders,  No.  209,  W.  D.,  October  19,  1909,  at  each  coast-defense 
post  in  the  United  States. 

2  flags,  4-foot. 
1  heliograph. 

1  field  acetylene  lantern. 

2  flags,  4-foot  (for  each  boat  used  in  towing  targets). 

98483°— 15 10 


144    GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

The  following  equipment,  if  then  (Oct.  19,  1909)  on  hand  at 
coast-defense  posts,  may  be  retained : 

1  set  international   fiag  signals. 

1  international  code  book. 

All  field  glasses. 

Ardois   systems. 

Improvised  means  of  signaling  at  target  practice. 

All  signal  mortars. 

"  Very  "  pistols  and  cartridges. 

Carbide  (for  field  acetylene  lanterns). 

Rockets,  shells,  and  accessories  thereto. 

422.  The  following  equipment  should  be  on  hand  in  each  coast 
defense  for  use  at  the  fort  signal  station : 

1  set  flags,  international. 

2  sets  flags,   semaphore. 
2  sets  flags,  2-foot. 

2  sets  flags,  4-foot. 

2  acetylene  lanterns. 

25  carbide  charges. 

1  pistol,    "  Very." 

25  cartridges,  green. 

25  cartridges,  white. 

25  cartridges,  red. 

1  pigeonhole,    for   flags. 

1  telescope,   type  A. 

1  book,  International  Code  of  Signals. 

1  book,   Seagoing  Vessels. 

1  book,  Signal  Book,  United  States  Army. 

4  field  glasses,  type  E. 

1  book,  Lloyd's  House  Flags  and  Funnels. 

If  the  signal-property  returns  show  any  of  this  material  on 
hand  in  coast  defenses,  duplicates  should  not  be  requisitioned 
for,  except  that  four  pairs  of  field  glasses,  type  E,  will  be  fur- 
nished if  not  on  hand. 

All  Signal  Corps  signaling  equipment  in  excess  of  that  enu- 
merated in  this  and  the  preceding  paragraph  should  be  turned 
in  to  the  nearest  Signal  Corps  general  supply  depot. 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    145 

VISUAL   SIGNAL  EQUIPMENT. 

423.  Field  glasses. — The  following  is  a  brief  description  of 
each  type  of  field  glass  which  at  the  present  time  is  issued  to 
the  Army : 

Type  A  "1910." — Magnification  approximately  3J  and  5£ 
diameters ;  Galilean  type ;  object  lens,  1^  inches ;  interpupil- 
lary  adjustment ;  tan  leather  finish ;  tan  leather  carrying  case 
with  compass ;  weight  of  glass  complete  with  case,  cord,  and 
strap.  28  ounces.  At  a  distance  of  1,000  yards  the  field  view 
includes  a  diameter  of  110  yards  for  the  3i  power  and  70 
yards  for  the  5*  power.  Length  of  glass  closed,  4  inches.  This 
glass  is  issued  as  a  part  of  the  visual  signaling  kit  to  com- 
panies of  Coast  Artillery,  Infantry,  and  Philippine  Scouts,  and 
to  troops  of  Cavalry.  Price,  $14.65. 

Type  B. — Magnification  approximately  4J  and  6J  diameters; 
Galilean  type;  object  lens,  If  inches;  interpupillary  adjustment; 
tan  leather  finish ;  tan  leather  carrying  case  with  compass ; 
weight  of  glass  complete  with  case,  cord,  and  strap,  31  ounces ; 
length  of  glass  closed,  4?  inches.  At  a  distance  of  1,000 
yards  the  field  of  view  includes  a  diameter  of  106  yards  for 
the  4£  power  and  70  yards  for  the  6^  power.  This  glass  was 
formerly  issued  as  a  part  of  the  fire-control  equipment  to 
Field  Artillery.  Price,  $17.50. 

Type  C. — A  high-power  prismatic  binocular,  the  present  issue 
being  the  Terlux  10-power ;  object  lens,  If  inches ;  inter- 
pupillary  adjustment;  common  focus  for  both  barrels,  and  one 
barrel  equipped  with  independent  focusing  device;  tan  leather- 
finish;  sunshade;  tan  leather  carrying  case;  weight  of  glass 
complete  with  case,  cord,  and  strap,  48  ounces ;  length  of  .glass 
closed,  7f  inches.  At  a  distance  of  1,000  yards  the  field  of 
view  includes  a  diameter  of  70  yards.  One  glass  is  issued  to 
the  commanding  officer  of  each  machine-gun  company  and 
machine-gun  troop.  Price,  $39.90. 


146    GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

Type  D. — Prismatic  binocular,  the  present  issue  being  the 
Busch  8-power  "  Stellux " ;  object  lens,  f  inch ;  interpupil- 
lary  adjustment;  common  focus  for  both  barrels,  and  one  barrel 
equipped  with  independent  focusing  device;  tan  leather  finish; 
tan  leather  carrying  case;  weight  of  glass  complete  with  case, 
cord,  and  strap,  21  ounces;  length  of  glass  closed,  3i56  inches. 
At  a  distance  of  1,000  yards  the  field  of  view  includes  a  diameter 
of  96  yards.  This  glass  is  issued  to  field  companies  of  the  Signal 
Corps,  and  on  account  of  its  excellence,  light  weight,  and  small 
size  is  especially  suitable  for  the  personal  field  glass  of  an 
officer  who  desires  a  high-power  field  glass.  Price,  $25.10. 

Type  EE. — Prismatic  binocular,  6-power;  object  lens,  1-& 
inches;  interpupillary  adjustment;  each  barrel  equipped  with 
an  independent  focusing  device;  one  barrel  equipped  with  a 
horizontal  mil  scale ;  tan  leather  finish ;  sunshade ;  tan  leather 
carrying  case  with  compass  ;  weight  of  glass  complete  with  case, 
cord,  and  strap,  41  ounces.  Length  of  glass  closed,  4ie  inches. 
At  a  distance  of  1,000  yards  the  field  of  view  includes  a  diameter 
of  140  yards.  This  glass  is  the  approved  glass  for  issue  to  Field 
Artillery  organizations.  Price,  $33.75. 

Application  for  the  purchase  of  field  glasses  should  be  ad- 
dressed to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army,  Washington, 
D.  C.,  and  accompanied  by  post-office  money  order  drawn  on 
Washington  post  office  or  New  York  exchange  for  the  amount, 
payable  to  "  Disbursing  officer,  Signal  Corps,  United  States 
Army,"  and  Signal  Corps  Form  No.  240  accomplished  in  dupli- 
cate. If  insured  parcel-post  shipment  is  desired,  the  amount 
necessary  for  parcel  postage  should  be  included  in  remittance. 
Checks  on  which  exchange  charges  must  be  paid  will  not  be 
accepted. 

The  Government  does  not  pay  transportation  charges  on 
articles  sold  •  to  officers.  Shipments  of  field  glasses  in  the 
United  States  are  made  from  Fort  Wood,  N.  Y. ;  in  the  Philip- 
pines, from  Manila.  Unless  otherwise  specified,  field  glasses  will 
be  shipped  express  charges  collect,  the  amount  of.  expressage 
dependent  on  distance  from  shipping  point. 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    147 


If  so  desired,  glasses  for  delivery  in  the  United  States  will 
be  forwarded  by  insured  parcel  post  at  the  cost  indicated  in 
the  following  table: 


Type 
of 

glass. 

First 
zone, 
50 
miles.1 

Second 
zone, 
150 
miles.1 

Third 
zone, 

1300 
miles.1 

Fourth 
zone, 
600 
miles.1 

Fifth 
zone, 
1,000 
miles.1 

Sixth 
zone, 
1,400 
miles.1 

Sev- 
enth 
zone, 
1,800 
miles.1 

Eighth 
i,one, 
over 
],M)0 
miles.' 

Alaska, 
Canal 
Zone, 
Hawaii, 
and 
Shang- 
hai, 
China. 

A 

$0.11 

$0.  11 

$0.13 

$0.16 

$0.19 

$0.22 

$0.26 

$0.29 

$0.29 

B  . 

.12 

.12 

.15 

.20 

.25 

.30 

.36 

.41 

.41 

c 

.18 

.18 

.22 

.29 

.36 

.43 

.51 

.58 

.58 

D.. 

.16 

.16 

.18 

.21 

.24 

.27 

.31 

.34 

.34 

EE  

.17 

.17 

.20 

.25 

.30 

.35 

.41 

.46 

.46 

1  The  parcel-post  zones  include  any  point  within  a  radius  (from  Fort  Wood)  of  the 
number  of  miles  indicated  as  pertaining  to  each  zone. 

Glasses  mailed  from  Manila  to  other  points  in  the  Philip- 
pines will  be  subject  to  the  fourth-class  postage  rates,  including 
registery  charges,  as  follows:  A  and  B,  46  cents;  C,  74  cents; 
D,  37  cents;  EE,  54  cents. 

Officers  in  the  Philippines  desiring  to  make  purchase  will 
forward  check  or  money  order,  payable  to  "  Disbursing  officer. 
Signal  Corps,  U.  S.  Army,"  to  the  Signal  Officer,  Philippine 
Department,  Manila,  P.  I. ;  if  mail  shipment  is  desired,  include 
the  cost  of  remittance. 

Any  desired  lettering  can  be  placed  on  glasses  at  a  cost  of  3 
cents  per  letter. 

No  advice  or  fixed  rule  can  be  stated  as  to  what  constitute 
the  most  suitable  characteristics  of  a  field  glass.  No  single 
field  glass  can  furnish  maximum  results  under  all  conditions  of 
the  atmosphere. 

A  high-power  glass  is  unsuitable  for  use  at  night  or  in  a  hazy 
atmosphere,  or  for  the  use  of  a  mounted  man  where  the  glass 
can  not  be  rested  against  a  firm  support.  A  low-power  glass 
with  a  large  object  lens  to  permit  of  as  much  light  as  possible 
is  required  for  use  at  night.  The  double-power  glass  which 
is  issued  as  a  part  of  the  visual  signaling  outfits  was  designed 


148    GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

for  the  military  service  as  a  compromise  for  conflicting  con- 
ditions. 

Under  the  provisions  of  paragraph  1564,  Army  Regulations, 
the  Signal  Corps  will  sell  field  glasses  to  officers  of  the  Army 
for  their  personal  use.  ( S.  O.  Cir.  Xo.  8,  1914. ) 

The  Signal  Corps  has  available  for  issue  a  stop  watch  with 
device  for  attachment  to  type  C  and  type  D  field  glasses.  These 
will  be  supplied  at  an  additional  cost  of  $6.40. 

424.  For  description  and  use  of  other  visual  signaling  equip- 
ment and  apparatus  consult  Signal  Book,  United  States  Army, 
1914. 

PHOTOGRAPHY. 

425.  For  service  in  the  field,  where  a  photographic  outfit  is 
required,  the  Signal  Corps  will  supply  a  high-grade  camera  and 
holders,  of  a  type  intended  for  the  use  of  film  packs  or  film 
rolls,  and  taking  a  picture  31  by  4|  inches.    Film  packs  or  rolls 
will  also  be  supplied,  but  no  developing  or  printing  equipment 
will  be  furnished  with  them  except  under  special  circumstances. 
When  all  the  films  in  the  pack  or  roll  have  been  exposed,  they 
should  be  put  in  strong  opaque  wrapper  and  mailed  immediately 
to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army,  stating  that  they  are 
exposed  films  to  be  developed  and  inclosing  a  statement  of  the 
subjects.     These  will  be  developed  in  the  signal  office,  Wash- 
ington, by  an  expert  photographer,  and  the  person  sending  them 
will  be  furnished  one  unmounted  print  of  each,  enlarged  or  of 
size  of  negative.     Pictures  which   are  of  special  interest  and 
value  will  be  enlarged  from  the  negatives  to  8  by  10  size  and 
placed  in  the  official  album. 

426.  All   photographic   negatives   of   instruments,   equipment, 
etc.,   known  as  technical  negatives,   will   be  filed  in  the  office 
of  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army. 

427.  When  forwarding  photographic  prints  to  the  office  of  the 
Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  for  file,  they  should  be  sent, 
as  far  as  practicable,  unmounted. 

428.  It  is  not  intended  that  photograph  plates,  films,  chemicals, 
or  other  materials  liable  to  deterioration  be  kept  in  stock  at 
general  supply  depots  of  the  Signal  Corps. 


ARTICLE  VI. 
ELECTRICAL  INSTALLATIONS. 

TELEPHONE  SYSTEMS  AT  MILITARY  POSTS. 

429.  For  administrative  purposes,  telephonic  communications 
authorized  at  military  posts  by  General  Orders,  No.  5,  War  De- 
partment,   1913,   will   be   established   by   the   Signal    Corps  as 
readily  as  funds  become  available. 

A  number  of  the  existing  systems  ere  installed  in  accord- 
ance with  the  provisions  of  General  Orders,  No.  97,  War  De- 
partment, 1906,  and  have  been  classed  as  provisional.  These 
will  be  replaced  as  funds  become  available. 

430.  The  telephone  system  of  a  coast  defense  constitutes  a 
part  of  its  defenses.    It  will  be  established  and  maintained  from 
funds  appropriated  for  fire-control  installations. 

The  cost  of  installation  and  maintenance  of  post  telephone 
systems  at  Alcatraz  Island,  Fort  Mason,  Fort  McDowell,  Pre- 
sidio of  San  Francisco,  and  Fort  Slocurn  will  be  established  and 
maintained  from  funds  appropriated  for  signal  service  systems 
at  interior  posts. 

Telephone  installations  for  rifle-range  fire-control  purposes, 
Army  War  College,  and  service  schools  are  not  included  in  the 
above.  They  are  provided  for  separately  according  to  the 
necessities  of  the  occasion. 

431.  Inspections. —  (a)   Post  systems  at  Interior  posts  will  be 
inspected  twice  annually  by  a  competent  inspector  under  the 
provisions  of  paragraph  11,  General  Orders  No.  5,  WTar  Depart- 
ment, 1913.     The  inspection  of  the  systems  at  posts  provided 
with  the  extended  underground  systems  contemplated  in  this 
general  order  should  be  made,  if  possible,  by  an  officer  having 

149 


150   GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

a  technical  knowledge  of  common  battery  installations.  The 
inspector  will  also  examine  the  Signal  Corps  equipment  on 
the  target  range,  reporting  the  condition  of  the  instruments, 
cable,  outlet  boxes,  etc. 

The  reports  of  inspection  will  be  prepared  on  Signal  Corps 
Forms  209  and  211.  One  copy  will  be  furnished  to  the  post 
signal  officer  for  file  with  the  post  records;  one  copy  will  be 
furnished  to  the  department  signal  officer;  and  one  copy  for- 
warded, through  military  channels,  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer 
of  the  Army. 

(6)  Post  systems  at  coast-defense  posts  will  be  inspected 
annually  in  connection  with  other  Signal  Corps  equipment 
under  the  provisions  of  paragraph  II,  General  Orders,  No.  146, 
War  Department,  1911,  and  General  Orders,  No.  5,  War  Depart- 
ment, 1913. 

The  reports  of  inspection  will  be  prepared  in  triplicate  on 
Signal  Corps  Forms  204  and  211  and  will  be  forwarded  to 
the  department  commander.  One  copy  will  be  withdrawn  for 
file  in  the  office  of  the  department  signal  officer  and  the  re- 
maining two  copies  will  be  forwarded  to  The  Adjutant  Gen- 
eral of  the  Army  for  file  in  the  Office  of  the  Chief  Signal  Officer 
of  the  Army  and  the  Chief  of  Coast  Artillery,  respectively. 

(c)  Recommendations  for  the  supply  of  additional  material 
appearing  in  the  reports  of  Signal  Corps  inspectors  will  in  no 
case  be  considered   a   requisition.     The  inspector   should   fur- 
nish the  responsible  officer  with  a  statement  of  the  material 
which  he  recommends  for  maintenance  and  betterment  of  the 
system.     The  responsible  officer  should  then  submit  the  usual 
requisition. 

It  is  -desired  that  all  instruments  of  the  telephone  system 
should  be  of  the  same  make,  and  recommendations  and  requisi- 
tions should  conform  to  this  policy. 

(d)  Radio  stations  will  be  inspected  at  the  same  time  and  as 
prescribed  in  paragraph  438. 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    151 

SWITCHBOARD   OPERATORS. 

432.  In  order  to  localize  responsibility  for  the  proper  care  of 
the  switchboard  and  to  secure  experienced  services,   the  com- 
manding  officers   of   posts   will,    whenever    possible,    have    the 
switchboard   operated   by   men  permanently   detailed   for  that 
purpose.     (Par.  9,  G.  O.,  No.  20,  W.  D.,  1912.) 

433.  Under  the  provisions  of  the  act  of  Congress  approved 
June  20,  1878,  enlisted  men  of  the  Signal  Corps  are  not  entitled 
to  extra-duty  pay  unless  payment  thereof  is  directed  by  the 
Secretary  of  War.     (1157479  M.  S.  O. ;  Cir.  No.  50,  W.  D.,  1906.) 

COMMERCIAL   TELEPHONE   SERVICE   AT   MILITARY   POSTS. 

434.  (a)   Commercial  telephone  service  for  official  purposes  ac 
coast-defense  posts  is  provided  for  from  a  special  appropriation 
made  to  the  Signal  Corps  for  this  purpose  (W.  D.  Bui.  No.  18, 
1914),  and  in  nearly  all  cases  is  furnished  by  means  of  trunk 
service  through  the  Signal  Corps  switchboard. 

(&)  Commercial  telephone  service  for  official  purposes  at 
interior  posts  under  the  provisions  of  paragraph  2,  General 
Orders,  No.  5,  War  Department,  1913.  is  provided  by  the  Quar- 
termaster Corps.  It  is  also  considered  desirable  to  have  this 
service  furnished  through  the  Signal  Corps  switchboard,  but  no 
charge  for  such  service  can  be  made  against  any  Signal  Corps 
appropriation. 

(c)  Should  it  become  necessary  in  contracting  for  trunk-line 
service  with  commercial  companies  to  provide  wires  for  official 
business  between  certain  offices  at  either  coast-defense  or  inte- 
rior posts,  application  for  the  erection  of  new  wires  or  for  the 
use  of  existing  Signal  Corps  wires  should  be  made  in  each  case. 

435.  At  large  posts  where  complete  private  telephone  service  is 
desired  in  addition  to  that  provided  by  the  Signal   Corps  a 
revocable  license  will  be  prepared  and  forwarded  for  the  ap- 
proval of  the  Secretary  of  War,  as  provided  for  by  paragraph  3, 
General  Orders,  No.  5,  War  Department,  1913. 

The  use  of  Signal  Corps  equipment  in  the  construction  or 
maintenance  of  such  commercial  systems  within  a  military  post 


152   GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

is  unauthorized,  nor  can  spare  conductors  in  either  the  aerial 
or  underground  system  be  used  by  a  commercial  company  to 
provide  unofficial  telephone  service  to  a  subscriber  in  the  mili- 
tary post,  nor  shall  an  unofficial  commercial  substation  be  con- 
nected ro  a  Signal  Corps  switchboard. 

RADIO-STATION    SETS. 

436.  All  officers  and  enlisted  men  of  the  Signal  Corps  account- 
able for  property  pertaining  to  or  engaged  in  operating  radio 
sets  are  directed  to  exercise  great  care  in  the  use  of  silicon, 
perikon,  audion,  or  other  dry  detectors.     These  detectors  are 
very  expensive  and  must  be  handled  with  great  care.     All  un- 
serviceable elements  of  perikon  and  silicon  detectors  containing 
the  active  minerals  should  be  forwarded  to  the  officer  in  charge, 
Signal  Corps  laboratory,  Washington,  D.  C. 

437.  In  filling  out  requisitions  for  supplies,  particular  atten- 
tion is  called  to  the  necessity  of  making  the  information  as  com- 
plete as  possible.    The  following  data  should  always  be  supplied : 
Name  of  part ;  'data  on  name  plate,  to  include  name  of  manu- 
facture ;  manufacturer's  number,  type,  size,  class,  etc. ;  and  if 
all  this  is  not  available,  such  a  description  as  will  serve  to 
identify  the  part  and  enable  a,  correct  purchase  order  to  be 
placed. 

438.  Inspections. —  (a)   In  addition  to  the  reports  of  inspection 
of  Signal  Corps  equipment  at  interior  and  coast-defense  posts, 
under  the  provisions  of  paragraphs  11  and  12,  General  Orders, 
No.  5,  War  Department,  1913    (see  par.  431),  a  report  of  the 
inspection  of  all  radiotelegraph  stations  will  be  made  on  Signal 
Corps  Form  207,  which  is  supplementary  to  Signal  Corp  Form 
Nos.  204  and  209  in  regard  to  the  radiotelegraph  feature  of  the 
reports  submitted  on  those  forms. 

(&)  It  is  the  intention  that  the  several  sheets  of  Form  207, 
if  not  already  on  file,  shall  be  filled  out  completely,  if  possible, 
by  cooperation  between  post  authorities  and  the  Signal  Corps 
representatives  at  the  time  of  the  inspection,  and  copies  shall 
be  submitted  with  the  inspector's  annual  or  semiannual  inspec- 
tion report  in  compliance  with  instructions  thereon. 


GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    153 

(c)  A  copy  of  this  report  should  be  furnished  to  the  post 
signal  officer  or  artillery  engineer,  the  signal  officer  of  the  de- 
partment, the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army,  and  the  Chief 
of  Coast  Artillery,  the  last  to  be  supplied  only  in  case  of  coast- 
defense  posts. 

(d)  If  the  data  available  at  the  post  or  station  is  not  suffi- 
cient to  enable  the  inspector  to  fill  out  the  form  completely,  all 
available   information   should   be   inserted  and   all   copies   for- 
warded to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army,  through  the 
signal  officer  of  the  department.     The  information  lacking  will 
then  be  supplied  and  copies  distributed  as  indicated  above. 

(e)  In  cases  where  change  is  made  in  some  part  of  the  equip- 
ment as  indicated  on  the  form,  an  entire  new  sheet  shall  be 
filled  out  by  the  Signal  Corps  inspector,  to  be  substituted  in  all 
the  files  for  the  corresponding  sheet  describing  the  installation 
before  the  change.     When  no  changes  have  been  made  in  the 
equipment  and  the  data  is  already  on  file,  no  new  sheets  of 
Form  207  need  be  submitted. 

(/)  It  is  intended  in  this  manner  to  keep  records  of  the 
installation  abreast  of  all  improvements,  enlargements,  or 
changes,  and  this  report  should  be  made  out  with  that  object 
in  view. 

(g)  This  also  applies-  in  its  essential  details  to  all  Alaskan 
radiotelegraph  stations  and  radio  equipment  installed  on  Army 
transports,  and  data  called  for  relative  thereto  should  be  care- 
fully supplied,  corrected  sheets  being  sent  forward  whenever 
changes  in  the  equipment  installed  render  obsolete  the  sheets 
already  submitted.  The  inspection  of  the  radiotelegraph  sta- 
tions in  Alaska  and  on  Army  transports  should  be  made  at  least 
once  each  year,  and  wherever  practicable  during  the  six  months 
preceding  June  30. 

CABLE  AND  CABLE  REELS. 

439.  (a)  Each  reel  of  standard  Signal  Corps  cable  bears  a 
brass  tag  marked  with  the  letters  "  S.  C."  and  a  serial  number, 
this  tag  being  attached  to  the  reel  when  the  cable  thereon  is 
accepted  by  the  Signal  Corps  inspector.  This  tag  is  for  the 


Io4    GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

purpose  of  identifying  the  reel,  and  will  be  removed  only  when 
the  reel  is  returned  directly  to  the  manufacturer,  which  ship- 
ment should  not  be  made  except  under  advice  from  the  Chief 
Signal  Officer  of  the  Army. 

(&)  The  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  will  assign  reel 
numbers  at  the  time  order  for  cable  is  placed.  The  signal 
officer,  Department  of  the  East,  will  have  charge  of  and  issue 
reel  tags.  When  cable  is  manufactured  in  another  department 
and  inspection  is  under  the  direction  of  the  signal  officer  of 
such  department,  application  will  be  made  to  the  signal  officer, 
Department  of  the  East,  who  will  furnish  the  necessary  tags 
for  attachment  to  reels. 

(c)  Upon  the  placing  of  cable  order  the  signal  officer,  De- 
partment of  the  East,  and  the  signal  officer  of  the  department 
under  whose  direction  inspection  is  to  be  made  will  be  fur- 
nished with  a  copy.  The  latter  will  cause  the  inspector  to  see 
that  the  reel  numbering  and  marking  for  shipment  as  shown 
in  the  order  followed;  that  the  manufacturer's  name  and 
reel  number  appear  on  the  reel  in  some  permanent  form  (manu- 
facturer's name  and  number  will  be  omitted  when  the  reel 
becomes  the  property  of  the  Signal  Corps  by  the  terms  of 
the  order),  and  will  advise  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army 
of  the  manufacturer's  reel  numbers  corresponding  with  Signal 
Corps  reel  numbers. 

(cZ)  All  reels  which  become  the  property  of  the  Signal  Corps 
at  the  time  of  the  purchase  of  the  cable  shall  be  branded  by 
the  inspector  "  Property  of  the  Signal  Corps,  U.  S.  Army." 
Reels  subsequently  purchased  will  at  that  time  be  likewise 
marked.  All  reels,  the  property  of  the  Signal  Corps,  whether 
empty  or  containing  cable,  should  be  accounted  for  on  the  semi- 
annual property  returns  by  reel  serial  number  under  the  heads, 
"Reels,  cable  (empty),"  or  "Reels,  cable  (filled),"  as  the  case 
may  be,  and  when  transferred  will  be  invoiced  accordingly. 
The  daily  reports  of  receipts  and  issues  at  Signal  Corps  supply 
depots  should  conform  to  the  foregoing.  Contents  of  reels  will 
be  accounted  for  independently. 


GENERAL  PROPERTY   AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS.    155 

(e)  When  cable  is  entirely  removed  from  a  reel  apparently 
not  the  property  of  the  Signal  Corps,  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of 
the  Army  should  be  at  once  notified,  through  the  signal  officer 
of  the  department,  that  steps  may  be  taken  to  have  the  empty 
reel  returned  to  the  manufacturer;  reel  to  be  held  until  definite 
advice  is  received  that  the  reel  is  not  the  property  of  the  Signal 
Corps.  Upon  receipt  of  such  advice,  but  not  before,  reel  will  be 
returned  to  the  manufacturer  on  Government  bill  of  lading,  the 
reel  plate  being  removed  and  destroyed. 

The  lagging  will  be  considered  a  part  of  the  reel  and  in  all 
c-ases  will  be  replaced  as  soon  as  practicable  for  the  protection 
of  the  reel,  and  also  in  order  that  full  credit  for  the  value  of 
the  returned  reel  may  be  obtained  from  the  manufacturer. 

(/)  When  reels  are  transferred  from  one  post  to  another  or 
returned  to  the  manufacturer  for  credit,  report  will  at  once  be 
made  by  the  consignor  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army 
through  the  signal  officer  of  the  department,  showing  the  Signal 
Corps  reel  numbers,  manufacturer's  corresponding  numbers, 
and  to  whom  shipped.  Property  officers,  Signal  Corps  store- 
keepers, and  all  others  accountable  for  Signal  Corps  property 
who  may  receive  Signal  Corps  cable  from  any  source  are  di- 
rected to  keep  a  record  of  the  Signal  Corps  purchase  order 
number,  name  of  manufacturer,  date  of  delivery  from  the  manu- 
facturer, Signal  Corps  and  manufacturer's  reel  serial  numbers, 
and  directions  received  as  to  the  disposition  of  reels,  the  prop- 
erty of  the  manufacturer,  when  empty.  These  data  should  be 
forwarded  by  letter  to  the  consignee  whenever  a  shipment  of 
cable  is  made.  The  invoices  covering  cable  or  cable  reels  will 
bear  prominent  notation,  "Attention  invited  to  paragraph  439, 
Signal  Corps  Manual  No.  7." 

(<7)  The  Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army  should  be  notified 
when  empty  reels,  the  property  of  the  manufacturer  or  of  the 
Signal  Corps,  or  reels  containing  short  lengths  of  cable  are  on 
hand,  so  that  such  short  lengths  may  be  combined  on  one  reel 
and  the  other  reel  or  reels  freed  for  return  to  the  manufacturer 
or  nearest  Signal  Corps  general  supply  depot.  Short  lengths 
of  same  type  of  cable  in  stock  at  supply  depots  should  be 


156   GENERAL  PROPERTY  AND  DISBURSING  REGULATIONS. 

wound  on  one  reel,  a  suitable  record  of  lengths  and  number  of 
serviceable  conductors,  etc.,  being  maintained. 

( h )  Only  serviceable  reels  should  be  shipped.  ( See  par.  295. ) 
If  cable  desired  for  shipment  is  on  an  unserviceable  reel,  steps 
should  be  taken  for  its  transfer  to  a  serviceable  reel  if  imprac- 
ticable to  place  the  reel  on  which  cable  is  coiled  in  a  serviceable 
condition. 

(*)  In  ordinary  cases  it  is  desirable  to  group  together  while 
in  storage  reels  which  bear  numbers  in  a  series,  to  aid  in  their 
location  and  to  lessen  the  possibility  of  confusion  of  shipments. 

(/)  Signal  officers  of  departments  are  charged  with  the  dis- 
semination of  this  information  throughout  their  departments, 
and  will  keep  informed  of  all  cable  and  cable  reels  within  their 
jurisdiction. 

(k)  The  property  officers-  at  the  various  depots  are  hereby 
directed  to  brand  all  reels  on  hand  that  are  owned  by  the  Sig- 
nal Corps,  "  Property  of  the  Signal  Corps,  U.  S.  Army." 

(I)  Cable  destined  for  Alaska  and  the  Philippines,  or  other 
points  outside  of  the  geographical  limits  of  the  United  States, 
should,  as  far  as  practicable,  be  shipped  on  reels  belonging  to 
the  Signal  Corps.  This  also  applies  to  cable  shipped  to  the 
Organized  Militia  of  the  United  States. 

(m)  Portions  of  paragraphs  (e)  and  (/)  directing  that  cor- 
respondence concerning  reels  be  conducted  through  the  signal 
officer  of  the  department  does  not  apply  to  Signal  Corps  general 
supply  depots.  Their  correspondence  should  be  directly  with  the 
Chief  Signal  Officer  of  the  Army. 

(n)   Special  care  should  be  taken  to  avoid  the  following: 

Premature  removal  of  Signal  Corps  number  plate. 

Shipment  of  reels  without  lagging. 

Shipment  of  unserviceable  reels. 

Shipment  of  unsealed  cable. 

Holding  empty  Signal  Corps  or  manufacturer's  reels  at  posts. 

Holding  manufacturer's  reels  at  depots. 


INDEX. 

Paragraph. 

Abstract  of  articles  purchased 94,  176,  236 

Accountability  and  responsibility  for  property 176,  177,  253-327 

Accounts  : 

Adjusting   of 233,234,299 

Inspection  of 117,  129 

Covering   traveling  expenses — civilians 69—72 

Omissions  or  errors 299 

With  other  departments 249-251 

Accounts  current : 

Accounts 47,  94,  230-241 

Abstracts  to  accompany 94,  176,  236 

Cash  account 238 

Checks  drawn  by  disbursing  officers 237 

Disallowance  of  accounts 233-234 

Telegraph  line  receipts 44—47 

When  rendered 230 

Administrative   officers  to  supervise  cash   account 242 

Address  of  officers  on  leave  of  absence 4 

Aero  squadrons,   reports   from 6 

Alaskan  telegraph  system  requisitions 353 

Allotments   of   funds ; 102-107 

Allowance  of  dry  cells  and  battery  material 380,  391 

American  Bell  rented  telephones : 311-316 

Ammeters,  shipment  of ^ 385 

Annual  estimates  of  expenses 55,  101 

Annual  authorities   for  expenditures 98.  102-107 

Annual  reports 43 

Appropriations  : 

Annual  estimate  of  expenses 55,  101 

Authority  for  expenditure  from 98,  102-107 

Disposition  of  balances 99—100 

Payments  from,  after  close  of  fiscal  year 100 

Restrictions  and  limitations  defined 97 

To  be  designated 96 

Army  regulations  : 

Appropriations 95 

Closing  money  accountability 129 

Contracts 131-140 

Defects  or  shortages  in  property 285-28? 

157 


158  INDEX. 

Army  regulations— Continued.  Paragraph. 

Duties  of  the  Signal  Corps 1 

Failure  to  receipt  for  property 284 

Marking  of  property 260 

Open-market  purchases 149—160 

Property  accountability 253 

Proposals 144 

Quarters  of  fiscal  year  defined 95 

Penalty  envelopes 383 

Supplies  issued  to  another  bureau  or  department 249-251 

Telegraph    offices 258 

Transfer  of  property  between  bureaus  or  departments 249—251 

Unserviceable   property 300-308,  319 

Articles  sent  by  mail 377,  383 

Auditor  for  War  Department 134,  137,  230 

Authorities  for  expenditures 98,  102-107 

Authorities,  savings  under 98 

Aviation  schools,  reports  from 6 

Battery    material 391 

Bicycles,   requisitions   for 334,  389 

Bidders,   commercial   standing  of 147 

Bills   for  purchases 174 

Bills  for  services 174,  178 

Blank   forms ___    90,  94,  338,  339,  357 

Blanks,   official   telegraph 87,  338 

Bonds 141-143 

Books : 

For  use  of  master  signal  electricians 20 

Field  message 338,  357 

Boxing   and   packing 172,  375,  376 

Buzzers 6,  380 

Cable  : 

Ends 325 

Inspection 166,  439 

Reels ,. .__    57,439 

Report  of  cable  reel  tags 439 

Transferring  cable  reels  from  one  post  to  another 439 

Carts,  reel  and  wire .  6,406,407 

Cash  account __  238-241 

Cashbooks 229 

Cash   payments 206,207,212 

Cells,   dry 379,380,392 

Ceremonies 29 

Certificate  of  deposit 121 

Certificate  of  expenditure  of  property 306,  317-327 

Changes  of  station  on  furlough 27 


INDEX.  159 

Paragraph. 

Charges,   freight,   express,   postage 173,  376,  377 

Checkbooks 214-228 

Record   of 215 

Responsibility    for 218 

Checks 114,  118,  119,  125-127,  214-228 

Civilian  employees  : 

Appointment  of  noneducational  employees--          59-65 

Civil-service  rules 1 —         63 

Electrical  engineers'  and  assistants 65,  67,  74-90,  336,  337 

Employments,    authority   for 64 

General    provisions 58 

Inspection  of  stock  at  storehouses 370 

Medical    attendance 86 

Monthly  report  of  changes  in 42,62 

Property    accountability 291 

Purchase  of  clothing,  fuel,  and  subsistence  supplies 85 

Report  of  change  of  station 42,  62 

Semiannual  reports  of  efficiency 65 

Temporary    employments 59—61 

Transportation  of  instrument  cases,  etc 73 

Traveling   expenses 66-73 

Civil-service  rules 63 

Code,  War  Department  telegraph 416-420 

Code  data  on  requisitions,  etc 437 

Colleges.     (See  Educational  institutions.) 

Commercial  telephone  service  at  posts 434—435 

Commissioned  officers.     (See  Officers.) 

Company  equipment 91-92 

Condemned  property,  proceeds  of  sales  of 243-247 

Contracts 131-140,  172 

Copies  of  orders  issued  by  signal  officers 8 

Correspondence   concerning  outstanding   requisitions 335 

Cross   arms,    how   packed 376 

Death  of  enlisted  men 13 

Decisions :  . 

By  Treasury  Department 252 

Concerning   issues 387-401 

Delivery  of  material  purchased 167-170 

Department  signal  officers  : 

Accounts  current,  telegraph  line  receipts 44-47 

Annual  estimate  of  expenses 55, 101 

Annual  reports 43 

Appointment  of  storekeepers 51 

Authorities  for  expenditures 98,  102-107 

Cable  reels  and  cable 57,  439 

98483°— 15 11 


160  INDEX. 

Department  signal  officers— Continued.  Paragraph. 

Estimate  for  funds 56,  108-113 

In  charge  of  military  telegraph  lines 44-47 

Inspection  of  radio  installations 50,  438 

Inspection  of  telephone  systems 48,  53,  431 

Monthly  reports 42 

Recommendations  on  requisitions 54,  328,  431 

Report  of  efficiency  of  civilian  employees 65 

Report  on  switchboard  operators 52 

Report  on  telephone  systems J. 42,  53 

Requisitions  for  office  and  desk  supplies,  furniture,  etc 390 

Requisitions  for  emergency  issues 342 

Responsibility  for  telegraph  line  receipts 46 

Transfer  of  funds  to 114 

Unserviceable  property • 300—317 

Depots,  supply 264,  340-360 

Descriptive  lists 17,  26,  404 

Detachments,  companies,  etc 28-29 

Disbursing  officers 93-94 

Accounts  current 47,94,230-241 

Advertisements  for  proposals 130,  144-148 

Annual  estimates 55,  101 

Anticipating  receipt  of  funds 123 

Appropriations  defined 97 

Articles  in  possession  of 176 

Authorities  for  expenditures 102—107 

Authority  to  appeal  to  Treasury  Department  for  decision 252 

Balances  to  be  reported 116—118 

Bills  for  purchase 174 

Bills  for  services 174,  178 

Blank  forms  used  by 94 

Bonds 141-143 

Cancellation  of  vouchers 205 

Cash  account 238-241 

Cashbooks 229 

Cash  payments ., 206,207 

Ceasing  to  act 126 

Certificate  of  deposit 121 

Change  of  depositaries 124 

Checks 114,  119,  120,  124-127,  214-228 

Contracts 131-140 

Death,  resignation,  or  removal 127 

Deposit  of  funds 120-122,  128 

Disposition  of  balances '. 99—100 

Emergency  expenditures 104 


INDEX..  161 

Disbursing  officers — Continued.  Paragraph. 

Estimates  of  funds 108-113 

Evidence  of  delivery 167-170 

Inspection  of  accounts 117,  129 

Inspection  of  material 161-166 

List  of  forms  required 94 

Open-market  purchases 149-160 

Payments  after   close   of  fiscal   year 100 

Payments  for  rents 139-140 

Pay  rolls 208-213 

Proceeds  of  sales 119-125,  243-248 

Property  purchases 177 

Proposals 130,  144-148 

Purchases  and  payments 130 

Rent  for  rooms 139-140 

Savings  under  authorities  or  orders 98 

Source  of  funds  to  be  reported 121 

To  be  advised  of  remittances 96 

Transfer  of  funds 114-115 

Unexpended  balances 99-100 

Vouchers 174-205 

Discharge  of  enlisted  men 14 

District   artillery   engineers 292 

Duties  of  the  Signal  Corps 1,  24-28 

Educational  institutions 395-399 

Electrical  engineers  and  assistants 74-90 

Class  of  work  assigned  to 74-77,  84 

Clothing,  fuel,  and  medical  attendance 85,  86 

Duties  on  installations 75,  76,  84 

Improper   orders 88 

Personal    reports 77-79,  90 

Property  issued  to 80,  82 

Requisitions 336,  337 

Subsistence  on  Government  vessels 89 

Telegrams 87 

Tool    chest 73,82,83,84 

Tools  and  supplies  issued  to 73,  82,  83,  84 

When  acting  as  overseer 75,  84 

Electrical   installations 429-431,  436 

Cable    and    cable    reels 439 

Commercial  telephone  service  at  posts 434-435 

Inspection  of  telephone  systems 431 

Post    telephone    systems 429 

Report  of  progress  of 42 

Switchboard  operators 22,52,432,433 


162  INDEX. 

Paragraph. 

Emergency  issues  of  property 342 

Employees.      (See  Civilian  employees.) 

Enlisted  men  : 

Assigned  to  companies 15 

At   line   posts 28 

Change  of  station  when  on  furlough 16,27 

Death    of 13 

Descriptive  lists 16,  17,  26 

Discharge  of 14 

Duties  of 24,  28 

Examinations  for  promotion 34-38 

Extra-duty  pay 22,433 

Foreign    service 5,21 

Furloughs 25-27 

Grades  in  which  may  he  reenlisted 9 

Information  concerning  men  on  detached  duty 16-17 

Master   signal   electricians 18-20,31,33,34 

Monthly  report  of  station  and  duties 42 

Muster  rolls 12,  16 

On   detached   service - 15,42 

Personal   reports 23 

Promotion  of 30-38 

Property  accountability 287,290,292,296,306,309,327 

Reenlisted 10,11,16 

Report  in  case  of  death 13 

Report  on  discharge  of  noncommissioned  officers 14 

Report  on  duties  and  conduct  of  noncommissioned  officers 40,  41 

Short-term  men  for  foreign  service 21 

Technical  equipment  for  enlisted  men  in  field  companies 91 

Technical  equipment  for  enlisted  men  in  telegraph  companies-         92 

To  assist  post  signal  officers 24 

Warrants  of  noncommissioned  officers 10 

Envelopes,  penalty 252a,  383 

Equipment : 

For  companies 91,  92 

Issued  to  line  organizations 420 

Sale  of —  243-248,  396-399 

Estimates : 

For    funds -56,  108-113 

For  appropriations 55,  101 

Evidence  of  delivery 167-170 

Examinations  for  promotion  of  enlisted  men 34-38 

Expendable   property 318-327 

Expenditure  of  funds 102-107 


INDEX.  163 

I 

Paragraph. 

Explosives,  shipment  of 371-373 

Express  shipments 173,  378 

Extra-duty  pay  : 

Enlisted'  men 22,  433 

For  switchboard  operators 22,  52,  432,  433 

Field    company 6,91 

Field  glasses 261,  302,  303,  305,  356,  423 

Field   message   books 338,  357 

Foreign  service,  enlisted  men 5,21 

Freight   shipments 173,  371-376 

Fuel  for  civilian  employees 85 

Funds : 

Al'otments   of 102-104 

Authorities  for  expenditure  of 102-107 

Date  of  forwarding  estimate  of 112—113 

Estimates    for 56,  108-113 

On   outstanding   requisitions 123 

Reports  from  depositaries 116—118 

Source  of,  to  be  reported 120—121 

Transfer  of 114-115,  124 

Furloughs. 25-27 

General  depots  of  supply  : 

Authority    for 340 

Card  record  of  property  in  stock 264,345 

Inspection  of  delicate  apparatus 370 

Issue  of  stock  from 264,  342,  355,  357 

Issue  of  blank  forms 94,338-339 

Issues   to    militia 408-415 

Location   of 341 

Packing  and  shipping  property 371-386 

Prohibition   of   certain    issues 342 

Regulations  for  property  accountability 264,  345 

Relation  to  post   commanders 360 

Report  of  unserviceable  field  glasses 356 

Requisitions  for  Alaskan  telegraph  system 353 

Requisition  from  the  Philippine  depot 352 

Requisitions  for  depot  stock  in  the  United  States 349-354 

Shipping  directions  to  depots 264,  342,  346,  347,  355 

"  War  reserve  "  stock  at  depots 348 

Glasses,  field 261,  302,  303,  305,  356,  423 

Hammers,  marking 166 

Holidays,  payments  for 200 

Inspections  : 

Accounts  of  contractors  to  be  certified 164,  165 

Code  data  to  be  given 438 

Delicate    apparatus 370 


164  INDEX. 

I 

Inspections— Continued.  Paragraph. 

Of  wire  and  cable 166 

At  storehouses  and  supply  depots 285-287,  370 

Radio   installations 50,  438 

Raw   material ± 161 

Inspectors,  articles  not  submitted  to 303,  305,  308,  319 

Installations,  report  of  progress 42 

Interruptions  on  telegraph  lines 42 

Invoices 273-278,  282,  296-299,  309,  357-358 

Issues  in  emergencies , 342 

Issues  to  the  Organized  Militia 408-415 

Lanterns,    acetylene. 400 

Leases 139-140 

Leave  of  absence 4 

Mail    shipments 377 

Manifests 264,  346,  347,  357,  360 

Manuals 20,  255,  291,  393,  402-404 

Marking   hammers 166 

Marking  supplies  by  contractors 171 

Master  signal  electricians  : 

Books  provided 20 

Examination  for  promotion  to  master  signal  electrician- 34—38 

Not  members  of  post  noncommissioned  staff 19 

Title  in  reports  and  conversation 18 

Medical  attendance,   civilian  employees 86 

Military  schools.     (See  Educational  institutions.) 

Military   telegraph   lines 8,  42,  44-47,  288,  292 

Money  : 

Deposited  on  account  of  articles  lost 307 

Value  of  articles  lost 306 

Monthly  reports  from  Signal  Corps  organizations 6 

Muster    rolls 12,  15 

Noncommissioned   officers,   promotion  of 30,  33 

Numbers,    serial 6,  274 

Office  furniture 390 

Officers : 

Address  while  on   leave 4 

College    details 396 

Copies  of  orders  issued  by  signal  officers 8 

Expenditures   in   emergency 104 

In  charge  of  telegraph  lines 42,  289 

In  charge  of  supply  depots 342,  343,  350,  355,  356,  360 

Incurring    expenses 103,  104 

Inspections 161-166,  431,  438 

Leave,  report  of,  to  Chief  Signal  Officer — ! 4 

Number    of  _  2 


INDEX.  165 

Officers— Continued.  Paragraph. 

Personal   reports 

Purchase  orders 107 

Recommendations  for  foreign  service  of  enlisted  men 5 

Report    from    commanding    officers    of    field    and    telegraph 

companies 6,  40,  41 

Report  of  noncommissioned  officers  to  be  discharged 14 

Sales  to • 243-248 

Telegraph  address  of  senior  officer  at  each  station 7 

Open-market  purchases 149-160 

Amount  less  than  $500 149 

Exceeding  $100 153 

Reasons    for    making 159 

Orders,  copies,  to  be  furnished 8 

Organizations  for  field  service 91—92 

Organized  Militia 357,  358,  408-415 

Packing  and  shipping  of  property 172,  371-386 

Packing  boxes 172,  375 

Papers  not  to  be  transferred  on  change  of  station 279 

Pay  rolls 208-213 

Blank   forms   used 208 

Payment  by  check : 213 

Receipts    taken 212 

Signatures 210,  2*11 

Penalty  envelopes 252a,  383 

Personal  reports  : 

Civilian  employees 90 

Enlisted  men 23 

Officers 3 

Personnel 2 

Philippine  Department : 

Reports  from  signal  officer 42 

Requisitions  for  stock 248,329,338,352,354,402 

Estimates  of  expenditures 55,  101 

Estimates  for  funds 56,  108-113 

Returns 1 309,  310 

Philippine  returns  : 

Accountability 310 

Property  shipped  from  the  United  States 309 

Property  transferred 309 

Rendered  by  civilian  employees  and  enlisted  men 309 

Photography 425-428 

Postage 173,  377 

Post  telephone  systems  : 

Commercial   telephone   service 434—435 

For  rifle  ranges 430 

Inspection  of 48,53,431 


166  INDEX. 

Post  telephone  systems — Continued.  Paragraph. 

Report  on  progress  of  construction , 42 

Switchboard  operators 52,432,433 

Systems  at  coast-defense  posts 53,431 

Systems  at  interior  posts 53,  431 

Proceeds  of  sales,  condemned  property,  etc 119,  243-248 

Promotions  of  noncommissioned  officers 30-33 

Property  : 

Accountability   by  enlisted   men 258, 

287,  290,  292,  296,  306,  309,  327 

At  stations  discontinued 259 

At  telegraph  offices 258 

Blank  forms 90,  94,  236,  256,  266,  339 

Card  record  at  supply  depots . 264,  345 

Certificate  of  expenditure 306,   318-327 

Condemned,  proceed  of  sales  of 119,  243-248 

Damaged  in  transit 301 

Designation 257,  273,  289,  296 

District  artillery  engineers 292 

Dropped  from  returns 275,  306,  318 

Emergency  issue,  when  authorized : 342 

Examination  of  return 292,  294,  299,  309,  310 

Expendable 317-327 

•      Failure  to  account  for 268 

Failure  to  receipt  for 284 

Final  returns  on  leaving  service 290-291 

Found  at  post  or  depot 288 

General   regulations 253 

Invoices 264,  273-278,  282,  296-299,  309 

Letters  of  transmittal 293 

Lost  or  stolen 291,  301,  306,  307 

Manuals 20,  255,  291,  393,  402,  404 

Marking  of 171,  260,  261 

Military  schools.      (See  Educational  institutions.) 

Missing  vouchers 280 

Money  value  of  articles  lost 306,  307 

Packing  and  shipment 272,  371-386 

Philippine  returns 309,  310 

Post  artillery  engineers 292 

Post  signal  officers 258,  292 

Private  use  of,  prohibited 5_.  272 

Proceeds  of  sales  of  condemned,  etc —  120,  243-248 

Receipts  for 275,  284 

Received  at  depot .  264,  265 

Received  by  purchase 177,  264,  265 

Received  by  district  artillery  engineers 292 


INDEX.  167 

Property— Continued.  Paragraph, 

Received  from  interior  posts 264-265 

Received  without  invoices 282,288 

Regulations  for  handling  of,  accountability  at  depots 264 

Repair  of  unserviceable 269,317 

Retained   papers 279 

Returns 253,  308,  327 

Sale  of  unserviceable 243-248,  305 

Serial  numbers 274 

Submitted  to  inspector 295,  302,  303,  308 

Submitted  to  surveying  officer  or  inspector 295,  300-308 

Transfer  between  bureaus  and  departments 249-251 

Transfer  of 249-251,  264,  265,  271,  278,  344 

Typewriters 274,  317 

Unserviceable 243, 

248,  270,  295,  300,  302,  303,  305,  308,  309,  311,  317,  359 

Visual  signaling  equipment 424 

Voucher  numbers 275,  276 

Proposals 130,  144-148,  150,159 

Purchases  : 

Accounted  for 177,  276 

Methods  of  making 130 

Purchases  and  payments 130,  144-166,  174-213 

Push  buttons,  door  bells,  etc 387 

Radiotelegraphy .  436-438 

Radio  installations,  inspection  of 49,  438 

Radio  pack  sets 273 

Radio  station  sets 436-438,487 

Serial  numbers 6,407 

Raw  material 161 

Receipts,  telegraph  line 42 

Recommendations   for   foreign   service 5 

Reenlistments 10,  11, 16 

Reel  carts 6,406-407 

Reels,  cable 57,  439 

Renewals  for  type  V,  Edison-Lelande  cells 391 

Renewals,  flashlights 380 

Rents,  payment  for 140—141 

Reports  : 

Annual  reports  from  department  signal  officers 42 

Aviation  schools  and  aero  squadrons 6 

By  property  officers  at  supply  depots___  264,  342,  343,  350,  355,  356 
Concerning,  discharge  of  noncommissioned  officers..  14 


168  INDEX. 

Reports— Continued.  Paragraph. 

Monthly  reports  : 

Alaskan   telegraph   system 42 

Philippine  department 42 

Department  signal  officers 42 

Field  and  telegraph  companies 6 

Aviation  schools  and  aero  squadrons 6 

Of  cable  tags  issued 439 

Of  officers  in  charge  of  military  telegraph  lines 44-47 

Of  strength  and  operations  of  field  and  telegraph  companies.  6 

Of  progress  on  electrical  installations 42 

Reenlistments 10 

Semiannual  report  on  efficiency  of  civilian  employees 65 

Semiannual  report  on  efficiency  of  noncommissioned  officers.  40-41 

Requisitions  : 

Action  on 331 

Code  data  to  be  given 437 

Correspondence  relative  to 330,  331,  335 

Electrical  engineers  and  assistants 336,337 

For  Alaskan  telegraph  system 353 

For  coast  defenses 333 

For  bicycles 334,389 

For  blank  forms 94,338,339 

For  field  message  books 338 

For  generators,  boosters,  etc 334 

For  gravity  battery  supplies 391 

For  interior  posts 332 

For  telegraph  offices  at  posts 401 

For    typewriters 334 

For  visual  signaling  equipment,  etc 431-434 

From  general  supply  depots 340-350,  354 

From  storekeepers 336,  369 

Not  to  be  duplicated 335 

Philippine  requisitions 329-338 

Renewals  for  type  V,  Edison-Lelande  cells 391 

Serial  numbers  assigned  to 330 

Stationery  and  blank  forms 94,  338 

To  be  scrutinized  by  department  signal  officers 54,  328 

When  to  be  submitted 349-353 

Returns  : 

Examination  of 292,294,299,309,310 

Failure  to  render 268 

Signal   Corps   organizations 6 

Rifle-range   equipment 429,  431 

Sale  of  property 119,243-248 

Sales  to  officers 243-248 

Schools.     (See  Educational  institutions.) 


INDEX.  169 

Paragraph. 

Serial  numbers 

Settlement  for  property  transferred  between  bureaus,  etc_.          249-251 

Shipment  of  electrical  instruments 378,  384—386 

Shipments  : 

By  mail  or  express 377—378 

General 371-386 

Of  telephones 

"Short-term"  enlisted  men 21 

Signal  Corps  equipment,  sale  of 119,  243-248 

Spare  parts  for  field  and  telegraph  companies 91-92 

Special  vehicles.     (See  Vehicles.) 

Stationery 338,  357,  401 

Storehouses 361-370 

Storekeepers 51,  361-370 

Storekeepers'  requisitions 336,  369 

Strength  of  Signal  Corps 

Subsistence  of  civilian  employees 85,  89 

Supplies,  marking  of -=. 171 

Supply  depots 264,  265,  340-360 

Surveying  officer .   295,  300,  306,  307 

Survey  of  damaged  property 300,  306,  307 

Switchboard  operators 52,  432,  433 

Telegraph  address  "  Signals  " 7 

Telegraph  blanks,  official 87,  338 

Telegraph  code,  War  Department 416-420 

Telegraph   company 6,  92 

Telegraph  instruments  for  practice  purposes 388 

Telegraph    lines 8,  42,  44,  45,  46,  47,  288,  292 

Telegraph  office  supplies 401 

Telephones  : 

Allowance  of  dry  cells 380 

American  Bell 311-316 

Commercial  telephones  at  posts 434-435 

For  official  purposes 429 

Packing  of 386 

Systems,      (gee  Post  telephone  systems.) 

Unserviceable 303-304 

Telephone  systems.      (See  Post  telephone  systems.) 

Temporary  storehouses 361-370 

Telescopes 303-304 

Testing   apparatus 394 

Time  service  not  provided  by  Signal  Corps 1 

Title  of  master  signal  electrician 18 

Tool   chests 73,  82,  83,  84,  386 

Transfers  of  enlisted  men_.  39 


170  INDEX. 


Paragraph. 

Transfer  of  property 249-251,  264-265,  271,  278,  344 

Transportation,    Signal   Corps 91,  92 

Traveling  expenses 66—73 

Trunk-line  service  (telephone  systems) 434-435 

Typewriters : 

Requisitions   for 334 

Unserviceable,  exchangeable 317 

Unserviceable  property.      (See  Property.) 

Vehicles 91,  92,  407 

Visual  signal  equipment 421—424 

Vouchers 174-205,  250 

Accounts  with  other  bureaus  and  departments 249—251 

Bills  for  purchases  and  services 174 

Blank  forms 174 

Cancellation  of 205 

Certificate  of  services  rendered 186 

Delivery  under  verbal   instructions 183 

For  services  other  than  personal 181,  194-197 

Order  and  -requisition  numbers 182 

Preparation  of 175-205 

Purchases  and  payments 177 

Wagons 91,  92,  406,  407 

War  Department  telegraph  code 416-420 

War  reserve  equipment 348 

Wireless  telegraphy.     (See  Radiotelegraphy.) 


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